About this Research Topic
Alcohol (ethanol) is one of the most widely abused drugs in human society. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 2.3 billion people currently consume alcohol. Once administered, alcohol causes both short- and long-term changes in a range of behaviors. For many, the short-term behavioral effects are beneficial, including feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and sedation. At higher doses, negative effects on behavior are common, for example, cognitive impairment, loss of coordination, and disruption of memory. Although used recreationally in many societies, alcohol can be addictive in the long term, leading to alcohol-use disorder, and alcohol dependence in many. Moreover, alcohol is the most commonly abused substance with other drugs and this combination can have unpredictable and unwanted consequences both on behavior and health in general. The WHO calculates that 3 million deaths each year can be attributed to the harmful effects of alcohol.
Animal models play a crucial role in understanding the effects of alcohol on the brain and behavior. Studies have shown that a range of brain structures are involved in alcohol use including the amygdala, nucleus accumbens, and insula. Targeted stimulation and suppression of these areas of the brain is able to alter alcohol consumption.
This Research Topic aims to increase our understanding of the effects and mechanisms of action of alcohol and its interaction with other drugs of abuse on the nervous system and behavior, using both humans and animal models. All article types of the Journal are welcome, including original research and reviews. Sub-topics of interest include:
• Changes in neurotransmitter function as a result of alcohol intake or addiction.
• Examination of brain regions that are influenced by alcohol, in the short and/or long-term.
• Effects of alcohol use at different life stages on behavioral development (i.e., utero, adolescent and maternal/paternal exposure).
• Interventions to the effects of alcohol on behavior.
• Examination of the links between alcohol use and other pathological behaviors.
• Examination of the effects of the combination of alcohol and other drugs of abuse on behavior.
• Epigenetics of Alcohol Use Disorder
Animal models play a crucial role in understanding the effects of alcohol on the brain and behavior. Studies have shown that a range of brain structures are involved in alcohol use including the amygdala, nucleus accumbens, and insula. Targeted stimulation and suppression of these areas of the brain is able to alter alcohol consumption.
This Research Topic aims to increase our understanding of the effects and mechanisms of action of alcohol and its interaction with other drugs of abuse on the nervous system and behavior, using both humans and animal models. All article types of the Journal are welcome, including original research and reviews. Sub-topics of interest include:
• Changes in neurotransmitter function as a result of alcohol intake or addiction.
• Examination of brain regions that are influenced by alcohol, in the short and/or long-term.
• Effects of alcohol use at different life stages on behavioral development (i.e., utero, adolescent and maternal/paternal exposure).
• Interventions to the effects of alcohol on behavior.
• Examination of the links between alcohol use and other pathological behaviors.
• Examination of the effects of the combination of alcohol and other drugs of abuse on behavior.
• Epigenetics of Alcohol Use Disorder
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
