Article (Scientific journals)
Genetic polymorphism in ethanol metabolism: acetaldehyde contribution to alcohol abuse and alcoholism
Quertemont, Etienne
2004In Molecular Psychiatry, 9 (6), p. 570-581
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
 

Files


Full Text
Quertemont_Mol_Psychiatry_2004.pdf
Publisher postprint (162.42 kB)
Request a copy

All documents in ORBi are protected by a user license.

Send to



Details



Keywords :
alcoholism; acetaldehyde; genetic polymorphisms; alcohol dehydrogenase; catalase; aldehyde dehydrogenase
Abstract :
[en] Acetaldehyde, the first product of ethanol metabolism, has been speculated to be involved in many pharmacological and behavioral effects of ethanol. In particular, acetaldehyde has been suggested to contribute to alcohol abuse and alcoholism. In the present paper, we review current data on the role of acetaldehyde and ethanol metabolism in alcohol consumption and abuse. Ethanol metabolism involves several enzymes. Whereas alcohol dehydrogenase metabolizes the bulk of ethanol within the liver, other enzymes, such as cytochrome P4502E1 and catalase, also contributes to the production of acetaldehyde from ethanol oxidation. In turn, acetaldehyde is metabolized by the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase. In animal studies, acetaldehyde is mainly reinforcing particularly when injected directly into the brain. In humans, genetic polymorphisms of the enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase are also associated with alcohol drinking habits and the incidence of alcohol abuse. From these human genetic studies, it has been concluded that blood acetaldehyde accumulation induces unpleasant effects that prevent further alcohol drinking. It is therefore speculated that acetaldehyde exerts opposite hedonic effects depending on the localization of its accumulation. In the periphery, acetaldehyde is primarily aversive, whereas brain acetaldehyde is mainly reinforcing. However, the peripheral effects of acetaldehyde might also be dependent upon its peak blood concentrations and its rate of accumulation, with a narrow range of blood acetaldehyde concentrations being reinforcing.
Research center :
Centre de Neurosciences Cognitives et Comportementales - ULiège
Disciplines :
Neurosciences & behavior
Psychiatry
Biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology
Author, co-author :
Quertemont, Etienne  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences cognitives > Psychologie quantitative
Language :
English
Title :
Genetic polymorphism in ethanol metabolism: acetaldehyde contribution to alcohol abuse and alcoholism
Publication date :
2004
Journal title :
Molecular Psychiatry
ISSN :
1359-4184
eISSN :
1476-5578
Publisher :
Nature Publishing Group, Houndmills, United Kingdom
Volume :
9
Issue :
6
Pages :
570-581
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Funders :
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique [BE]
Available on ORBi :
since 27 November 2008

Statistics


Number of views
117 (11 by ULiège)
Number of downloads
5 (5 by ULiège)

Scopus citations®
 
151
Scopus citations®
without self-citations
142
OpenCitations
 
128

Bibliography


Similar publications



Contact ORBi