Neurobiological Mechanisms for Alcoholism Essay -- Biology Essays Rese

Neurobiological Mechanisms for Alcoholism While alcohol could well be considered the most socially acceptable psychoactive drug in our society, the dangers of alcohol abuse and addiction are well known. However, not everyone who uses, or even abuses, alcohol will actually become an alcoholic who is physically dependent on the drug. Not all of the mechanisms that cause one to become addicted to alcohol have been clarified. However, there seem to be two main reasons for alcohol addiction. One is that the chronic consumption of alcohol causes changes in the brain that result in a dependence on alcohol. Another is that some individuals have abnormalities in their brains that result in a greater tendency to become addicted to alcohol. The report in 1990 of the discovery of an "alcoholism gene", while not fully supported by subsequent studies, is illustrative of many observations that the brain chemistry of alcoholics is different from nonalcoholics.1 The acute effects of alcohol on the brain result mainly from its effects on the postsynaptic receptor sites for various neurotransmitters.2 The depressant effects of alcohol arise from its action on GABA-A receptors, the principal postsynaptic receptors for the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. When stimulated by GABA, these receptors respond by opening an ion channel that allows Cl- ions to enter the neuron, which hyperpolarizes the membrane and reduces the chance for an action potential to occur. These receptors are also sensitive to alcohol, and its presence allows even more Cl- ions to enter the cell, resulting in further inhibition.3 However, the effects of the chronic use of alcohol are quite different, and result in a decreased sensitivity of GABA-A receptors to both alco... ...s/Blum-full.html 2. OTA Report: Biological Basis for Substance Abuse and Addiction http://www.drugtext.nk/norml/aaota_cont.html 3. Center Line Vol 8 No 3 http://www.med.unc.edu/wrkunits/3ctrpgm/alcohol/cenline/8_3_1.html" 4. Ibid. 5. OTA Report 6. SPRINGER LINK - Psychopharmacology - Abstract Volume 129 Issue 2 (1997) pp 99-111 http://link.springer-ny.com/link/service/jounals/00213/bibs/7129002/71290099.htm 7. OTA Report 8. Ibid. 9. American Scientist 10. OTA Report 11. American Scientist 12. Ibid. 13. OTA Report 14. Honours Thesis by Karen Johnson, UNSW Australia 1996 http://javelin.commed.unsw.edu.au/karen/thesis/ 15. American Scientist 16. OTA Report 17. Ibid. 18. American Scientist 19. Honours Thesis (visit this site for a comprehensive listing of major studies on this subject) 20. American Scientist

Letter From Friends Essay

We arrived at our destination a few days back, you might have heard of it. It’s that ranch near Soledad, I think u worked about 5 mile south of here a few months back. Lennie and me are doing alright, we’re working hard and saving money. Lennie still big stupid and low most probable the way you remember him, you know him. Hr still wants to stroke and pet those stupid rabbits. Cos of that he got us kicked out of weed. All the dumb bastard wanted to do was feel that little girls dress. We had to hide in a ditch for a few hours, but luckily we slicked out at night. We travelled for days looking for work until I found out this one This ranch we’re working at is okay, but I have my worries about some people. My main worry is that tart of a wife Curley has, whenever she around us men she loves flirt. So when Curley see this he goes mad and try to pick a fight like he did with Lennie but Lennie busted his hand, but any way likes to fight over nothing. So we told him if tell the boss what happen we would tell everyone what Lennie had done to his hand. We met lots of people. I have already told you about Curley and his tart of a wife. There’s the boss who is no too pleased with us cos we came late and there’s Slim who everyone respects. There’s also Candy with his dog who is not like everyone cos it’s old and smelly, but especial by a man called Carlson who today killed the dog by shooting it. And there’s that good Negro Crooks who is called Crooks cos he got kicked by horse and it made him cripple. Our bunkhouse is bull crap cos the bed bad. I suppose it better then sleeping on the floor. But the worst thing is that the bottles of insecticides are put in the room. So the room stinks, but it does keep flies away. That fool Curley worries me cos all he want is it fight. He always wants to pick on some for no reason. If it’s not Lennie, it’s me or its some one else he want to pick on. I think if no one stops him or he don’t stop even though Lennie busted his hand. I’ll tell Lennie to kill him, I swear to ya will! Pete do ya remember that dream that we had, it could it could come true cos of that man called. Candy. Me and lennie were talking about the dream and he was listening, then we stared talk about the dream with him. So candy wants to be apart of it. His even got $450 dollars and he said he will put it towards the ranch. So I said ok. It will be so great not having a boss to tell ya to work or out of his ranch. Do ya remember about that promise we made to each other. That one where, if one of us got a ranch the other would work on it. So I’m going to keep my promise and ask you to come work on this ranch if we get it. Lennie wants to say hello. He just reminded. O yea did I tell ya Lennie going to get a puppy of that man, Slim. Write back please. Hope to hear from u soon!

Julius Caesar And The Civil War Essay - 1682 Words

The Civil War, consisting in large part of Caesar’s own account of the conflict between himself and Pompey, explores the origins of the war, the manner in which it was carried out, and most importantly the role of pivotal figures on both sides of the struggle. Prior to his records ending and supplementation by military officers, Caesar makes a case for his involvement in and perhaps triggering of the war, one which would transform the social and political landscape of the Roman empire as battles and campaigns were waged from Spain to Italy, Africa to Asia Minor. Caesar walks a fine line between historian, strategist and orator as he attempts to record historical events, martial decisions, and persuade an audience respectively. Despite his efforts to remain impartial, as evidenced by his admission that â€Å"the Pompeians were winning† at Dyrrachium, Caesar consistently presents himself as a charismatic and skilled general and leader, jeopardizing the integrity of the te xt as objective material and allowing it to be a propagandist account of sorts. Ultimately, Caesar uses anecdotal evidence, the presentation of his personal thoughts, and juxtaposition with his opposition to paint his side of the war in a positive and just light. When reading The Civil War, it is critical to understand what Julius Caesar was attempting to accomplish by recording a narrative of his war, on and off the battlefield, with Pompey and his forces. 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