Alcohol and alcoholism associated neurological disorders: Current updates in a global perspective and recent recommendations

Abstract

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition that impairs a person's ability to stop or manage their drinking in the face of negative social, occupational, or health consequences. AUD is defined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism as a "severe problem". The central nervous system is the primary target of alcohol's adverse effects. It is crucial to identify various neurological disorders associated with AUD, including alcohol withdrawal syndrome, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, Marchiafava-Bignami disease, dementia, and neuropathy. To gain a better understanding of the neurological environment of alcoholism and to shed light on the role of various neurotransmitters in the phenomenon of alcoholism. A comprehensive search of online databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, was conducted to identify relevant articles. Several neurotransmitters (dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, serotonin, and glutamate) have been linked to alcoholism due to a brain imbalance. Alcoholism appears to be a complex genetic disorder, with variations in many genes influencing risk. Some of these genes have been identified, including two alcohol metabolism genes, alcohol dehydrogenase 1B gene and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene, which have the most potent known effects on the risk of alcoholism. Neuronal degeneration and demyelination in people with AUD may be caused by neuronal damage, nutrient deficiencies, and blood brain barrier dysfunction; however, the underlying mechanism is unknown. This review will provide a detailed overview of the neurobiology of alcohol addiction, followed by recent studies published in the genetics of alcohol addiction, molecular mechanism and detailed information on the various acute and chronic neurological manifestations of alcoholism for the Future research.

Keywords: Alcohol; Alcoholism; Neurotransmitter; Neurological disorders; Alcohol metabolism

Core Tip: This review delves into the neurobiology of alcohol use disorder (AUD), highlighting the role of neurotransmitter imbalances, genetic factors like alcohol dehydrogenase 1B gene and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene, and the associated neurological disorders. It explores the complex mechanisms underlying neuronal degeneration and blood brain barrier dysfunction in AUD, offering insights for future research into the acute and chronic neurological effects of alcoholism.