L14: Alcohol and Sedative-Hypnotics Lecture Notes

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the chemical properties, history, pharmacokinetics, and neurological effects of alcohol as discussed in the lecture transcript.

Sedative-hypnotics

A diverse group of compounds, including alcohol, barbiturates, and anxiolytics, that depress the Central Nervous System (CNS) and behavior.

Ethanol

The specific class of organic compound known as "grain alcohol" which is consumed by humans.

Methanol

A toxic class of alcohol converted by alcohol dehydrogenase to formaldehyde and then formic acid, causing blindness, coma, and death.

Fermentation

The process by which yeasts consume sugars to produce ethanol and $CO_2$, limited to alcohol concentrations of up to approximately $15\%$. spent.

Distillation

A process used to produce "spirits" by exploiting the lower boiling point of alcohol compared to $H_2O$ to evaporate and condense vapor in a "still".

Nutt et al. Drug Harm Study

A multicriteria decision analysis that ranked 20 drugs along 16 criteria, finding alcohol to be the most harmful drug overall with a score of $72$.

Binge Drinking

Defined as consuming $5$ or more drinks for men, or $4$ or more for women, in a single session.

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)

The standard measure of alcohol concentration expressed as grams of alcohol per $100\,ml$ of blood.

Alcohol dehydrogenase

The enzyme located in the stomach and liver that is responsible for breaking down most alcohol into acetaldehyde.

Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase

The enzyme that converts acetaldehyde into acetic acid during the oxidation reaction of alcohol metabolism.

Antabuse (Disulfiram)

A prescription medicine that inhibits acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, causing high concentrations of acetaldehyde and symptoms like flushing, nausea, and increased heart rate.

Microsomal ethanol oxidizing system (MEOS)

A metabolic pathway involving the induction of cytochrome p450 liver enzymes that can account for $50\text{-}60\%$ of alcohol metabolism with chronic use.

REM rebound

An increase in REM sleep during alcohol withdrawal that can last for years in alcoholics, caused by alcohol's initial interference with normal sleep patterns.

Delirium tremens

A dangerous and potentially fatal withdrawal syndrome from chronic alcohol use characterized by seizures, hallucinations, tremors, and autonomic disruption.

GABAA Receptor

A primary target for alcohol action in the CNS; alcohol acutely enhances GABA-induced $Cl^-$ influx to hyperpolarize neurons.

NMDA Receptor (NMDAR)

A glutamatergic receptor inhibited by alcohol; chronic use leads to receptor up-regulation and rebound hyperexcitability during withdrawal.

Korsakoff syndrome

A condition associated with chronic heavy alcohol use caused by a vitamin B1 deficiency, leading to damage in the mammillary bodies and thalamus, amnesia, and confusion.

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

A condition resulting from alcohol crossing the placenta, characterized by lower birth weight, smaller brain weight, and behavioral problems like mental retardation.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death or 'self-destruction' that can be triggered by alcohol, barbiturates, or NMDAr antagonists during brain development.

Thujone

A toxic component of absinthe that acts as a GABAA receptor antagonist and blocks $Cl^-$ currents, potentially causing convulsions at high doses.

Speakeasies

Illegal, members-only bars that emerged during Prohibition in the United States, with over $100,000$ estimated in New York City alone.