Search resultsOxidation of ethanol in the brain and its consequences
Title
Oxidation of ethanol in the brain and its consequences
Publication type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2006
Authors
Journal
Alcohol Research and Health
Volume
29
Issue
4
Pagination
266 - 273
Date published
2006
ISBN
0090838X (ISSN)
Keywords
acetaldehyde, Acetate, alcohol, alcohol dehydrogenase, Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), Alcohol Drinking, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), behavior, Brain, catalase, central nervous system, Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1, cytochrome P450, cytochrome P450 2E1, drinking behavior, drug effect, Ethanol, Ethanol metabolism, Ethanol oxidation, Ethanol preference, Ethanol-to-acetaldehyde metabolism, human, Humans, metabolism, oxidation reduction reaction, Oxidation-Reduction, review
Abstract
Acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol (i.e., ethanol) metabolism, has long been suspected of causing at least some of the central nervous system actions of ethanol. However, the data to support such a hypothesis have been difficult to obtain. One roadblock is the very low blood levels of acetaldehyde following ethanol intake and the finding that even elevated acetaldehyde levels in the blood do not easily gain access to the brain. The recent discovery of the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde in the adult brain may help explain the acute effects of ethanol.