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.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Your Turn! Post a public comment (read guidelines):

Name:
Comment: (limit 200 words)
Enter this word (help):	Change

GUIDELINES: 
To keep this feature useful for all, please:

1. Keep it clean, courteous, and on-topic. Comments are meant for thoughtful discussion of the article published above.
   
   
2. Do not post promotional links to organizations, products or services, or personal requests for assistance (get help).
   
   
3. Proof your comments carefully, use good spelling and punctuation, and don't use ALL CAPS. Comments are published immediately and cannot be edited.

Deceptive, slanderous and commercially-motivated posts are prohibited. We reserve the right to remove comments not conforming to these guidelines. (Report a comment).

Have questions or feedback? Contact us.