Levels of γ‐Aminobutyric Acid‐Benzodiazepine Receptors in Abstinent, Alcohol‐Dependent Women: Preliminary Findings From an ¹²³I‐Iomazenil Single Photon Emission Tomography Study

Abstract

Due to the semiquantitative analysis performed and the relatively small number of subjects in this study, which resulted in a nonsignificant trend, we can only comment on the differences in the pattern of lower levels of GABA-benzodiazepine receptors seen in alcohol dependence in men and women. Although we are not able to ascertain whether the female brain is more susceptible to the effects of alcohol, it appears that alcohol has a differential effect on the central GABA-benzodiazepine receptors in men and women. Recent animal evidence supports this hypothesis. Future studies should explore whether other neuropharmacological differences exist between men and women in alcohol dependence that could have implications for pharmacotherapy.