Is ethanol a pro-drug? The role of acetaldehyde in the central effects of ethanol

[en] Acetaldehyde, the first product of ethanol metabolism, has been speculated to be involved in many behavioral effects of ethanol. However, its precise role remains a matter of debate, with some researchers suggesting that acetaldehyde has no role in the effects of ethanol and others contending that ethanol is a pro-drug whose pharmacological action is mediated by acetaldehyde. Recent studies support a role for acetaldehyde in the stimulant, reinforcing, hypnotic and amnesic effects of ethanol, and, in particular, alcohol abuse and alcoholism. However, current evidence indicates that acetaldehyde is not involved in some of the major neurochemical effects of ethanol. It is therefore likely that ethanol and acetaldehyde molecules act synergistically to determine the multiple neurochemical and behavioral effects of alcohol consumption.

Research Center/Unit :

Centre de Neurosciences Cognitives et Comportementales - ULiège

Disciplines :

Pharmacy, pharmacology & toxicology
Psychiatry
Neurosciences & behavior

Author, co-author :

Quertemont, Etienne ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences cognitives > Psychologie quantitative

Tambour, Sophie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences cognitives > Neuroscience comportementale et psychopharmacologie expér.

Language :

English

Title :

Is ethanol a pro-drug? The role of acetaldehyde in the central effects of ethanol

Publication date :

2004

Journal title :

Trends in Pharmacological Sciences

ISSN :

0165-6147

eISSN :

1873-3735

Publisher :

Elsevier Science London, London, United Kingdom

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

130-134

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Funders :

F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique

Available on ORBi :

since 21 January 2009

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Bibliography

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