ALCOHOL AND GLUTAMATE

Ex-citatory neurotransmitters, the most important of which is glutamat e, increase the activity of signal-receiving neurons and play a major role in controlling brain function. Glutamate exerts ifs effects on ce lls in part through three types of receptors that, when activated, all ow the flow of positively charged ions info the cell. Of these, the N- methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor plays a particularly important role in controlling the brain's ability to adapt to environmental and gene tic influences, Even low alcohol concentrations can inhibit the excita tory activity of the NMDA receptor, This inhibition of NMDA receptor f unction may be one of the mechanisms contributing to fetal alcohol syn drome and other move subtle developmental abnormalities, Moreover, alc ohol-induced impairment of the NMDA receptor may contribute to alcohol -related learning disabilities, neuronal tosses, and cognitive deficit s as well as to some of the manifestations of alcohol withdrawal.