1. The Biology of Alcohol CREST and
Presented by
CREST
and
*Portland Alcohol Research Center (PARC)
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center
*Funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, USA
Title Page – introduce Bob and Mark
NIAAA

2. Alcohol has been part of societies for thousands of years, as shown by this representation of the ancient Greek god of grape growing and wines:
Alcohol has been part of human history for thousands of years: in social, religious, and medical settings
We get lots of messages about alcohol:
What are some that you get?
Right v. wrong, good v. bad

3. A L C O H O L S ETHANOL, CH3CH2OH ISOPROPANOL, CH3CH2CH2OH
What kind of alcohol is in drinks?
ETHANOL, CH3CH2OH
What are other kinds of alcohol?
ISOPROPANOL, CH3CH2CH2OH
METHANOL, CH3OH

4. Where does alcohol go in the body?
Alcohol follows the path of water – it gets around the body by hitching a ride in blood

5. What is a “DRINK”? how much WINE = how much BEER = how much LIQUOR
How much alcohol is in one drink?

6. Short Term Effects of Alcohol Use
Slurred speech
Drowsiness
Vomiting 
Diarrhea
Upset stomach
Headaches
Breathing difficulties 
Distorted vision and hearing 
Impaired judgment 
Decreased perception and coordination 
Unconsciousness 
Anemia (loss of red blood cells) 
Coma
Blackouts (memory lapses, where the drinker cannot remember events that occurred while under the influence)

7. Long Term Effects of Alcohol Use
Unintentional injuries such as car crash, falls, burns, drowning 
Intentional injuries such as firearm injuries, sexual assault, domestic violence
Increased on-the-job injuries and loss of productivity 
Increased family problems, broken relationships 
Alcohol poisoning
Increased look of aging 

8. Even More Long Term Effects of Alcohol Use
High blood pressure, stroke, and other heart-related diseases
Permanent damage to the brain 
 Gastritis (inflammation of stomach walls) 
Cancer of the mouth and throat
Liver disease 
Nerve damage 
Sexual problems 
Ulcers 
Malnutrition 

9. Blood Alcohol Concentration x Weight
Age, gender, weight helps determine Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
Other examples are pneumonia and antibiotics, infants and sunscreen
BAC X Weight table: how similar, how different for women and men?
Alcohol follows the path of water

10. LOBES
The Brain.
What is it good for?

11. How are BAC and behavior related?
One place to start is brain function.

12. Brookhaven PET Project
LIGHTS ON LIGHTS OFF
Explain image
Brookhaven PET Project

13. World = 0.01-.05 Oregon = 0.08 Goggles = 0.15-.20
Goggles =
BAC is related to how people feel and what they do
For drivers, what is the legal limit in Oregon for BAC?
.41 and greater

14. Blood Alcohol Concentration x Weight
How many drinks can a person have and till be “Legal” to drive?

15. The Genes and Environment Show!
or,… Becoming an Alcoholic
50%
MostlyGenes
Mostly Environment
Number of People
Genes:
family history; what you got from your ancestors
Present or absent, turned on or off
Environment:
Availability of alcohol
Attitudes toward alcohol
Trauma, diet, exercise
Tools to handle problems
Chronic myeloid leukemia (Gleevec)

16. A L C O H O L S ETHANOL CH3CH2OH + ADH (alcohol dehydrogenase)
How is alcohol metabolized?
ETHANOL
CH3CH2OH + ADH (alcohol dehydrogenase)
Acetaldehyde ( + more enzymes)
CO2 + H2O
METHANOL
Formaldehyde (embalming fluid)
Formic Acid (fire ant venom)
CH3OH + ADH (alcohol dehydrogenase)
Explain metabolism

17. Differences between Women & Men and what affects BAC
Water: 60% of a man’s body weight
50 % of a woman’s body weight
Therefore, for women, alcohol is more concentrated than for men in the body’s organs that hold water.
Enzymes: Women have less ADH in their stomachs
Men have more ADH in their stomachs
Hence, for women, more alcohol makes it to the small intestine for rapid absorption into the blood stream.
3. Weight: A woman weighing 120 lbs and a man weighing 120 lbs each consume one drink.
Which person builds up a higher blood alcohol level?

18. Other things that affect BAC
4. Hydration: The less water that is in your system the higher the alcohol content will be.
5. Food: Food in the stomach will absorb some amount of alcohol.
6. Strength of alcoholic drink: Stronger drinks will lead to a higher BAC.

19. Differences between Women & Men
Female alcoholics tend to wear out their internal organs faster than do male alcoholics.
The number of of alcoholics who are women is rising, whereas the number of alcoholics who are men is falling.
What wears out: liver, heart, esophagus, bones
What gets supercharged: cancers, osteoporosis, diabetes, infertility, and aggressive behavior

20. Alcohol Effects on the Heart
What we are going to explore is how alcohol affects us biologically
Ask group questions
Healthy
Long-term Alcohol

21. Alcohol Effects on the Heart
What we are going to explore is how alcohol affects us biologically
Ask group questions

22. Alcohol Effects on the Liver
What we are going to explore is how alcohol affects us biologically
Ask group questions
Healthy
Long-term Alcohol

23. Alcohol Effects on Synapse
What we are going to explore is how alcohol affects us biologically
Ask group questions
Neurotransmitter Recycling
Neurotransmitter Recycling Blocked

24. Alcohol and Osteoporosis
What we are going to explore is how alcohol affects us biologically
Ask group questions

25. Alcohol, Aggression, and Violence
Crime
Murder
Manslaughter
Assault
Sexual Crimes
Domestic Violence
Robbery
Burglary
Proportion Involving Alcohol
50-80%
60%
40-60%
40-50%
Ask students to estimate proportion