Neurotransmitters and Their Possible Roles in Alcohol Dependence
Dopamine | Conveys excitatory signals from one neuron to another | Acute alcohol ingestion facilitates dopamine’s excitatory effect | |
Acute alcohol withdrawal reduces dopamine’s excitatory effect | |||
Glutamate | Conveys excitatory signals from one neuron to another | Acute alcohol ingestion reduces glutamate’s excitatory effect | |
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) | Catalyzes the breakdown of dopamine and serotonin | Unknown | |
Norepinephrine | Conveys excitatory signals from one neuron to another | Acute alcohol ingestion facilitates NE’s excitatory effect | |
Peptides | Convey excitatory signals from one neuron to another | Lead to a global reduction in the production of peptides | |
Serotonin | Conveys excitatory signals from one neuron to another | Acute alcohol ingestion facilitates serotonin’s excitatory effect | |
Chronic alcohol ingestion reduces serotonin’s excitatory effect |