神经病学和精神病学理论和实践

Alcohol is generally known as a DEPRESSANT of the central nervous system; it INHIBITS brain activities, causing a range of physiological effects such as impaired body movements and slurred speech.

酒精通常被称为中枢神经系统的抑制剂；它抑制大脑活动，引起一系列生理效应，如身体运动受损和说话含糊不清。

The brain is a complex network of billions of neurons.

大脑是由数十亿个神经元组成的复杂网络。

Neurons can be excitatory or inhibitory.

神经元可以是兴奋性的，也可以是抑制性的。

Excitatory neurons stimulate others to respond and transmit electrical messages, while inhibitory neurons SUPPRESS responsiveness, preventing excessive firing.

兴奋性神经元刺激其他神经元作出反应并传递电信息，而抑制性神经元则抑制反应性，防止过度放电。

A balance between excitation and inhibition is essential for normal brain functions.

兴奋和抑制之间的平衡对于正常的大脑功能是必不可少的。

Short-term alcohol consumption DISRUPTS this balance, INCREASING INHIBITORY and DECREASING EXCITATORY functions.

短期饮酒会破坏这种平衡，增强抑制和降低兴奋功能。

Specifically, alcohol inhibits responsiveness of neurons via its interaction with the GABA system.

具体而言，酒精通过与GABA系统的相互作用，抑制神经元的反应性。

At the same time, alcohol also inhibits the glutamate system, a major excitatory circuit of the brain.

同时，酒精也抑制谷氨酸系统，这是大脑的一个主要兴奋回路。

GABA ACTIVATION and glutamate INHIBITION together bring DOWN brain activities.

GABA激活和谷氨酸抑制共同降低大脑活动。

Depending on the concentration of ethanol in the blood, alcohol’s depressant effect can range from slight drowsiness to blackout, or even respiratory failure and death.

根据血液中乙醇的浓度，酒精的抑制作用可能从轻微的嗜睡到昏厥，甚至是呼吸衰竭和死亡。

Chronic, or long-term consumption of alcohol, however, produces an OPPOSITE effect on the brain.

然而，长期饮酒对大脑产生相反的影响。

This is because SUSTAINED inhibition caused by PROLONGED alcohol exposure eventually ACTIVATES the brain’s ADAPTATION response.

这是因为长时间饮酒引发的持续性抑制最终激活了大脑的适应反应。

In attempts to restore the equilibrium, the brain DECREASES GABA inhibitory and INCREASES glutamate excitatory functions to compensate for the alcohol’s effect.

在尝试恢复平衡的过程中，大脑会降低GABA的抑制作用，增加谷氨酸的兴奋功能，以补偿酒精的影响。

As the balance tilts toward EXCITATION, more and more alcohol is needed to achieve the same inhibitory effect.

当平衡向兴奋倾斜时，需要越来越多的酒精来达到同样的抑制效果。

This leads to overdrinking and eventually addiction.

这会导致宿醉，最终上瘾。

If alcohol consumption is ABRUPTLY reduced or discontinued at this point, an ill-feeling known as WITHDRAWAL syndrome may follow.

如果此时突然减少或停止饮酒，一种被称为戒断综合症的不适感可能随之而来。

This is because the brain is now HYPER-excitable if NOT balanced by the inhibitory effect of alcohol.

这是因为，如果不通过酒精的抑制作用来平衡大脑，则大脑现在具有高度兴奋性。

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is characterized by tremors, seizures, hallucinations, agitation and confusion.

酒精戒断综合征的特征是震颤、癫痫、幻觉、激动和混乱。

Withdrawal-related anxiety also contributes to alcohol-seeking behavior and CONTINUED alcohol abuse.

戒断相关的焦虑也促进了酗酒行为和持续酗酒。