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Low Levels of Alcohol Can Impair Brain
November 19, 2003

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Research Summary

New animal research finds that even moderate drinking can impair motor coordination and memory and lower social inhibitions, HealthDay News reported Nov. 17.

According to lead researcher Dr. Richard Olsen, a professor of pharmacology at the University of California at Los Angeles, a blood-alcohol level of 0.01 percent can impair brain function. "This is the effect one or two drinks will have," he said.

Olsen and his research team studied the effects on gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in animal cells exposed to low levels of ethanol. They found that GABA receptors with a beta-3 subunit and a delta subunit responded to low levels of alcohol. These receptors are located in cellular areas and brain regions, including the cerebellum.

Researchers found that other GABA receptors responded only to much higher levels of alcohol.

Olsen and his research team are conducting a similar study on rats. "If we understand the action of alcohol at the cellular and molecular level, it is helpful in treating the bad effects that alcohol may have," he said. "We may be able to develop antidotes or treatments for intoxication or overdoses and coma and life-threatening effects as well as being able to understand and treat alcohol abuse."

The study's findings are published in the Nov. 17, 2003 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.


Wallner, M., Hanchar, H., & Olsen, R. (Nov. 17, 2003) Ethanol enhances a4b3d and a6b3dg-aminobutyric acid type A receptors at low concentrations known to affect humans. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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