Alcohol and neurodegeneration

Abstract

Alcohol can be neurotoxic. Recent studies have indicated that the prefrontal cortex is particularly sensitive to the neurotoxic actions of alcohol, as are specific groups of neurons that project throughout the brain including the frontal cortex, biogenic amine, and peptidergic neurons. Alcohol-induced brain damage is a significant problem that leads to permanent changes in brain function, although abstinence does allow partial recovery of function. The relationship between alcohol-induced brain damage and the development of alcohol dependence requires additional experimentation, but it presents the possibility that treatments for neurodegeneration and improved cognitive performance could contribute to improved recovery from alcohol dependence.