Genes and gene expression in the brains of human alcoholics.

Chronic alcohol misuse by human subjects leads to neuronal loss in regions such as the superior frontal cortex (SFC). Propensity to alcoholism is associated with several genes. gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)(A) receptor expression differs between alcoholics and controls, whereas glutamate receptor differences are muted.

Genes and gene expression in the brain of the alcoholic.

Chronic alcoholism leads to localized brain damage, which is prominent in superior frontal cortex but mild in motor cortex. The likelihood of developing alcohol dependence is associated with genetic markers. GABAA receptor expression differs between alcoholics and controls, whereas glutamate receptor differences are muted.

GABA(A) receptor sites in the developing human foetus.

GABA(A) receptor sites were characterised in cerebral cortex tissue samples from deceased neurologically normal infants who had come to autopsy during the third trimester of pregnancy. Pharmacological parameters were obtained from homogenate binding studies which utilised the 'central-type' benzodiazepine ligands [3H]diazepam and [3H]flunitrazepam, and from the GABA activation of [3H]diazepam binding. It was found that the two radioligands behaved differently during development.