Alcohol and the Brain

Paper Summary:

The effects of alcohol abuse on the unborn child, on society and on relationships are quite well-known, but the fact that alcohol can affect the brain is a fact that is less known. The paper shows that in fact alcohol stops the cortex from serving its role in integrating cognitive processes, resulting in disorganized thinking and motor control difficulties. The paper examines research that shows that individuals with a history of chronic alcohol abuse had significantly smaller brains than non alcoholic individuals. Finally, the paper concludes that continuous research on the subject may help combat alcoholism in the future.

From the Paper:

"The actions of several neurotransmitters are significantly affected by the actions of alcohol. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is one of the most prevalent neurotransmitters in the human brain, and alcohol is clearly linked to affects on the GABAergic system in the human brain. For example, the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are reduced by blocking the activity of the neurotransmitter by the use of drugs that are well known to block GABA receptors. This evidence suggests that alcohol may play an important role in the biological underpinnings of human alcoholism. Researchers have also noted that tolerance and dependence on alcohol can be explained by the neuropharmacological effect of chronic alcohol use (Brain & Mind Magazine)."

More papers on Alcohol and the Brain:

• Cause and Effect Essay # 105930 : "Heavy Alcohol Use and the Brain"
• Research Paper # 91405 : "Alcohol and the Havoc it Wreaks"
• Term Paper # 122240 : "Alcohol and Hand-Eye Coordination"

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