알코올 중독 형성에 관여하는 신경생물학적 요소들에 관한 고찰

Neurobiological Factors Involved in the Formation of Alcoholism

Alcoholism known as alcohol use disorder is a complex psychiatric disease with alcohol dependence and abuse. Addiction formation and the severity are determined by psychological, genetic, biological and social factors. Genetic vulnerability is important in alcoholism development. Gene candidates working on each step in addiction formation are reported by Genome-Wide Association Studies. Also, repeated drinking is reported to induce epigenetic changes. It is accepted that the major neural circuit influencing on the formation of alcoholism is the dopaminergic pathway comprising ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, and prefrontal cortex. The dopaminegic system is modulated by GABA, glutamate, serotonergic neurons and opioid system. In addition, changes in dendrites, BDNF and neural cell number play an important role in the formation of alcoholism. Pharmacotherapy for alcoholism includes making alcohol ingestion unpleasant and reducing its reinforcement.