Scientists identify molecular step that causes intoxication - Beyond Tiki

JD Johnny Dollar Tiki Socialite Flyover, Missourah Joined: Oct 01, 2003 Posts: 3159	JD Johnny Dollar Posted posted on Thu, Dec 11, 2003 3:07 PM Scientists at UCSF's Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center have identified a single brain protein that can account for most of the intoxicating effects of alcohol. The finding pinpoints perhaps the best target yet for a drug to block alcohol's effect and potentially treat alcoholism, the scientists say. The mechanisms by which alcohol acts on the brain are thought to be similar throughout the animal kingdom, since species from worms and fruit flies to mice and humans all become intoxicated at similar alcohol concentrations. But although studies have identified a number of genes that can partially influence how alcohol affects behavior, this is the first finding that a single gene and the brain protein it codes for - known as an ion channel - are responsible for the intoxicating effects of alcohol in a living organism, according to the researchers. Full article here: http://www.scienceblog.com/community/article2090.html My favo(u)rite sentence: "BK channels mediate alcohol effects." Is that true BK? I haven't been to any of your parties yet... [ Edited by: Johnny Dollar on 2003-12-11 15:12 ]

Scientists at UCSF's Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center have identified a single brain protein that can account for most of the intoxicating effects of alcohol. The finding pinpoints perhaps the best target yet for a drug to block alcohol's effect and potentially treat alcoholism, the scientists say. The mechanisms by which alcohol acts on the brain are thought to be similar throughout the animal kingdom, since species from worms and fruit flies to mice and humans all become intoxicated at similar alcohol concentrations. But although studies have identified a number of genes that can partially influence how alcohol affects behavior, this is the first finding that a single gene and the brain protein it codes for - known as an ion channel - are responsible for the intoxicating effects of alcohol in a living organism, according to the researchers.

Full article here:

http://www.scienceblog.com/community/article2090.html

My favo(u)rite sentence: "BK channels mediate alcohol effects." Is that true BK? I haven't been to any of your parties yet...

[ Edited by: Johnny Dollar on 2003-12-11 15:12 ]

Post #64498 by Johnny Dollar on Thu, Dec 11, 2003 3:07 PM