When alcohol enters the brain, it causes
neurons in a specialized region called the ventral tegmental area, or VTA --
also known as the "pleasure center" -- to release dopamine, a
neurotransmitter that produces those feel-good sensations, and tells the brain
that whatever it just experienced is worth getting more of. Scientists have long sought the first step in
the molecular pathway by which alcohol causes neurons in the VTA to release
dopamine. Now, researchers in the
Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics at the University of Illinois at
Chicago report in the journal Neuropharmacology, that alcohol blocks a potassium
channel called KCNK13 that sits within the membrane of dopamine-releasing
neurons in the VTA. When the potassium channel gets blocked, the neurons
increase their activity and release more dopamine.
"Currently available drugs reduce the
impact of alcohol on the brain that is akin to turning down the volume on a
stereo," he said. Brodie and his
colleagues will continue to investigate the role of KCNK13 and examine how
selective manipulation of the channel in other brain areas and cell types might
alter alcohol-related behaviors.
"We are the first to show that KCNK13
is a primary, direct target of alcohol and that this channel is important for
regulating alcohol consumption. KCNK13 represents a novel target for the
development of alcohol use disorder drugs, of which we have relatively few
today," Brodie said.
What they are saying is they want you to
spend more money on drugs that kill your buzz.
Let’s look at it another way, you buy expensive drugs, then, you can buy
more booze to get the same buzz you were getting for less than half the price
if you could just learn to be a responsible drinker and exercise a little self-control.
Don’t get me wrong, this is very
interesting research, but if you are going to drink, it is to get a buzz. Why would you use a drug that kills it.
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