American Journal of Psychiatry · 1990 · 17 citations · 0 references
Life SciencesNeurosciencePsychiatryBehavioral NeuroscienceNeurochemistryNeuropharmacologyAddictionAlcohol WithdrawalAmino Acid NeurochemistryAnxiety DisordersGabaergic NeurochemistryGabaergic SignalingAlcohol Effects On Gaba SignalingAlcohol Withdrawal SeizuresGabaergic DysfunctionGabaergic Neurotransmission In DiseaseNeurobiology Of Alcohol WithdrawalSeizuresSeizures During Withdrawal
Alcohol has widespread effects on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system in the brain. This system in the brain is also postulated to have a role in anxiety, and alcoholics have been reported to have more anxiety disorders. Therefore, the authors undertook a study to compare CSF levels of GABA in abstinent alcoholic patients and normal control subjects. There was no significant difference between groups in CSF levels of GABA. Also, there was no significant difference in GABA level between alcoholic patients with histories of withdrawal seizures and those without such a history.