Alcohol acts on numerous cellular and molecular targets to regulate neuronal communication within the brain. Chronic alcohol exposure and acute withdrawal generate prominent neuroadaptations at synapses, including compensatory effects on the expression, localization and function of synaptic proteins, channels and receptors. The present article reviews the literature describing the synaptic effects of chronic alcohol exposure and their relevance for synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. This review is not meant to be comprehensive, but rather to highlight the effects that have been observed most consistently and that are thought to contribute to the development of alcohol dependence and the negative aspects of withdrawal. Specifically, we will focus on the major excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain, glutamate and GABA, respectively, and how their neuroadaptations after chronic alcohol exposure contributes to alcohol reinforcement, dependence and withdrawal. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled "Alcoholism".
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.01.013 | DOI Listing |
Mater Today Bio
February 2025
Department of Urology, Jiangnan University Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214125, China.
Currently, most peripheral nerve injuries are incurable mainly due to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in inflammatory tissues, which can further exacerbate localized tissue injury and cause chronic diseases. Although promising for promoting nerve regeneration, stem cell therapy still suffers from abundant intrinsic limitations, mainly including excessive ROS in lesions and inefficient production of growth factors (GFs). Biomaterials that scavenge endogenous ROS and promote GFs secretion might overcome such limitations and thus are being increasingly investigated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWorld J Gastroenterol
January 2025
Clinical School of the Second People's Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300192, China.
Background: Colorectal polyps are commonly observed in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and pose a significant clinical concern because of their potential for malignancy.
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Methods: Patients with CLD who underwent colonoscopy at Tianjin Second People's Hospital from January 2020 to May 2023 were evaluated.
World J Gastroenterol
January 2025
Department of Radiology, Kindai University, Faculty of Medicine, Osakasayama 589-8511, Osaka, Japan.
Background: Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH)-like lesions are hyperplastic formations in patients with micronodular cirrhosis and a history of alcohol abuse. Although pathologically similar to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions, they are benign. As such, it is important to develop methods to distinguish between FNH-like lesions and HCC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHeliyon
January 2025
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 11405 87 Ave NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1C9, Canada.
Background: Based on the socio-ecological model of health, socioeconomic policy is an important determinant of population health. Spending decisions by public health units (PHU) have been shown to be associated with population health outcomes. Some studies have found greater PHU spending to be associated with improved population health, while others report mixed findings, warranting further research.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHepatology
January 2025
Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, U1065, C3M, Nice, France.
Background And Aims: Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is one of the leading causes of severe liver disease with limited pharmacological treatments for alcohol-related steatohepatitis (ASH). CD44, a glycoprotein mainly expressed in immune cells, has been implicated in multiple inflammatory diseases but has never been studied in the ALD context. We therefore studied its contribution to ASH development in mice and its expression in ALD patients.
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