Dalwhinnie, the best scotch in the world.
Posted on 02/20/2005 4:13:54 PM PST by LurkedLongEnough
Alcohol interferes with how brain cells communicate with one another, coordination, grogginess, impaired memory and loss of inhibitions associated with drunkenness. Yet researchers have been unable to pinpoint how alcohol causes this disruption in the brain.
Now scientists at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA have deciphered how a naturally occurring gene mutation in rats' brains lowers the animals' tolerance to alcohol, leading to rapid and acute intoxication after the equivalent of one drink. The UCLA study is the first to identify how the gene variation alters GABA receptors -- specific sites targeted by chemicals from the brain cells -- making them more responsive to very low levels of alcohol. Alcohol enhances the GABA receptors' influence on brain cells, slowing the cells' activity and ability to communicate.
The fact that the gene mutation arises naturally suggests that tolerance levels to alcohol may be genetically wired in people, too. If so, the findings could eventually help identify children and adults at higher risk of developing alcohol dependency, so these individuals can make an informed decision about whether to drink. The study results may also speed the development of new drugs that target alcohol-sensitive GABA receptors, leading to better treatments for alcohol poisoning and addiction.
Authors of the study include UCLA Brain Research Institute members Richard Olsen, Ph.D., professor of molecular and medical pharmacology; Thomas Otis, Ph.D., associate professor of neurobiology; and Martin Wallner, Ph.D., pharmacology researcher.
The Feb. 6 online edition of Nature Neuroscience reports the findings.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Addiction supported the research.
I just can't figure out how a topic like this could pre-occupy so many bright minds.
Specializes in treating trauma to the rectum.
I don't understand resistance to increasing the sum total of human knowledge. Some people just want to know how things work. And thank God for those people.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Yeah. Stupid brain chemistry!
He bought the naming rights--errrr, made an endowment to the school--in 2002, apparently.
Sez who? Why I'm imbibing right now and itt dosnt' effgt my abbeluty to tipe^ a t t awll *,
"I just can't figure out how a topic like this could pre-occupy so many bright minds."
I do. Getting older, I find I enjoy the taste of fine spirits and good beer more but really dislike the mind numbing effect. If they could make a scotch that tasted like Laphroaig or Talisker, or a beer like any number of good beers, without the effect of alchohol, I'd have a drink more often. The "no buzz" beers taste terrible.
Just a thought.
Top sends
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
This is all BS
Alcohol ain't a drug just ask all the beer drinking ANTI POT types on this site
They don't use drugs
ping
That's not what the article says. Careful, your prejudices are showing.
I just can't figure out how a topic like this could pre-occupy so many bright minds.
Because increased knowledge is valuable in countless ways.
So what. Fraternities have been researching this for decades...
"This is all BS
Alcohol ain't a drug just ask all the beer drinking ANTI POT types on this site
They don't use drugs"
Cheech? is that you? how ya been man?
I wouldn't say you can't get drunk on it, but it's not worth it to chug it.
It's just too damn good. Silky, a bit smoky, not bitter at all.
If they ever put perfection in a bottle, it's Dalwhinnie!
They need to do some experimentation on me. I'm naturally a type B personality, and very distractable; can't walk and chew gum at the same time. Yet when I drink I become focused (even though I suffer the usual lack of coordination).
I don't EVER get drunk. In my case, it leads to honesty.
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