The Influence of Ethanol on the Functional Status of GABAA Receptors

Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) is one of the main inhibitory neurotransmitters in the mammalian brain. Its effects are realized via GABAA, GABAB, and GABAC receptors. GABAA is the most abundant type of GABA receptors. It consists of six classes of subunits, α, β, γ, δ, ε, and χ. Acute and chronic exposures to ethanol are accompanied by changes in structure and function of GABAA receptors. These changes may be a basis for altered behavior seen in alcoholism.