In addition, thiazolidinediones have several other potential side effects, which make them less appealing as initial or second step therapy. (See 'Cardiovascular effects' below and 'Safety' below.). The pharmacology and use of thiazolidinediones will be reviewed here.
Alcohol impairs brain areas such as the cerebellumâthe control site for your balance and coordinationâand your cerebral cortex, which is responsible for thinking, memory, and learning, says Kimberly S. Walitzer, Ph.D., deputy director of the University at Buffaloâs Research Institute on Addictions.
Although GABA activity doesn't entirely explain alcohol's effects and we don't know exactly what the delta receptor does, a big part of the mystery seems to have come unraveled. Because GABA is the primary inhibitory neuron in the brain, it can affect virtually every system. Alcohol is more than simply a depressant. The physical structure of the brain remains constant, but the addition of a tiny chemical drastically alters brain function and ultimately behavior. Understanding how alcohol affects our brain also offers insight into how our brains work in general. So the next time you drink, even though you may be killing some valuable brain cells, you can toast to the fact that you're contributing to neuroscience. Notes: Giancola PR, Zeichner A. The biphasic effects of alcohol on human physical aggression. J Abnorm Psychol. 1997 Nov;106(4):598-607. McDougle CJ, Krystal JH, Price LH, Heninger GR, Charney DS.