ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the findings on how alcohol affects the expression of genes in the central nervous system, and how this might result in the development of alcoholism. Alcohol is one of the most widely used chemical substances in our society. Nearly 75% of American adults use alcohol, and 15% of these adults develop lifelong health problems associated with its abuse. Glutamate is the primary mediator of excitatory neurotransmission in the mammalian brain, and studies have suggested a role for glutamate in ethanol dependence. Glycine, like γ-Aminobutyric acid receptors, is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that is primarily localized in the brain stem and spinal cord where it acts on strychnine-sensitive receptors. The dopamine transporter is an important molecule for controlling dopaminergic turnover in the brain. Moreover, it is an important initial site of action for psychostimulants such as amphetamine and cocaine.
