The Importance of Some CNS Peptides in the Development of Experimental Alcoholism

The neurochemical mechanisms of ethanol’s action have not yet been fully explored. Various authors have shown that ethanol affects neurotransmitter accumulation, adenylcyclase activity (Kalant, 1975), NaK-ATPase (Kalant, 1981), the enzymes of catecholamine metabolism (Carlson et al., 1973) and transmission processes (Tewari, 1981). There is reason to suppose that the effects of acute and possibly chronic treatment with alcohol could be mediated by alterations in the physico-chemical properties of biological membranes. In fact, ethanol has been shown to increase the mobility of layers in cell membrane (Goldstein et al., 1981) and to produce changes in the activity of membrane-bound enzymes. It also alters the conformation of receptor complexes situated on nerve cell membranes and the disposition of neurotransmitters in the synapses (Ciofalo, 1980). The broad spectrum of ethanol’s effects means that considerable difficulties are encountered when identifying cause and effect relationships in the various disturbances produced by alcoholism. It may be argued that of its many effects on various systems within the organism, this biologically active compound exerts its strongest influence on emotions.