PLASMA GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC-ACID (GABA) IS LOW IN ALCOHOLICS

Plasma levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were measured in male alcoholics on admission to inpatient treatment and at discharge after 3 to 4 weeks of abstinence. Free plasma GABA at discharge was signific antly lower in alcoholics than in control subjects and specifically id entified a subset of 35 percent of the alcoholic patients with levels below the normal range. However, levels of free plasma GABA in recentl y detoxified alcoholics on admission were not different from those of controls and had a significant positive correlation with liver enzymes and mean corpuscular volume. These data are compatible with a GABA de ficit theory of alcoholism in a subset of alcoholics.