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KMID : 0870519980020020162
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Journal of Korean Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
1998 Volume.2 No. 2 p.162 ~ p.164
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Pharmacotherapy of Alcoholism-Drugs Mainly Acting on the GABA System
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Choi Ihn-Geun
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Abstract
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GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) is the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in central nervous system. The toxic,
amnesic and ataxic effects of alcohol are related with GABAergic activity. The GABAergic drugs being used for alcoholism
can 1) block different manifestations of ethanol intoxication, 2) affect alcohol craving or 3) alleviate different signs of
physical dependence. RO15-4513, a partial inverse agonist binding to the (GABA)A-receptor regulated chloride channel,
antagonizes the effects of ethanol on the channel, and reverses ethanol-induced intoxication. Calcium acetylhomotaurinate
(acamprosate), structurally related to glutamate and GABA, decreases ethanol ingestion and relapse rate in ethanol dependent individuals. Drugs enhancing GABAergic activity can be used for adequate inhibition of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Gamma-vinyl-GABA (vigabatrin, GABA-transaminase inhibitor) could have a potential role in the treatment of alcoholism and in some of the problems of ethanol withdrawal. Benzodiazepines are the treatment of choice in alcohol withdrawal. Sufficient dosage of benzodiazepine should be used for improving alcohol withdrawal symptoms on the first day of treatment.
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KEYWORD
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Alcoholism, Pharmacotherapy, GABAergic system, Benzodiazepine, Acamprosate
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