NMDA receptors are affected which was said in a new study that the interactions with dopamine and glutamate neurotransmitter pathways are a key factor in the regulation of the inhibitory affects of alcohol and brain function. They found that alcohol stops the NMDA glutamate receptor, which is a reason you feel "drunk". These effects on the NMDA receptors should stop them from playing a role in the plasticity of the synapse. This is believed to be important for the development of drinking that is uncontrollable.
Cravings for alcohol in the brain are present which is proved by rats. Some new data that says when rats that had drunk sweet flavored alcohol solutions during short periods of alcohol withdrawal, provided insight on the human side of psychological cravings. Very small amounts of alcohol have a direct effect on cells in the lateral hippocampus that also goes to lower spinal neurons and affects the excitatory level of reflexes that in turn reacts to the stimulation of the environment.
Alcohol withdraw and tolerance is also a concern, Levels in the cAMP in the hippocampus in the drinking tolerant and addicted lab rats was reduced but then raised 24 hours after the onset of withdrawal. Neural cell loss after withdrawal occurs with alterations in the increase of NMDA receptors increase sensitivity to alcohol pretreated cortical neurons which results in neural cell loss after withdrawal.
So you have the choice; you can drink alcohol and lose the ability for your neurotransmitters to work properly, you will build up a tolerance to alcohol, you will become addicted, try to quit then you will go through withdrawal. The moral of the story is that consumption of alcohol is not the most intelligent choice for teens and university students. So what is your choice?
Anonated references
Wayner, Matthew J., U Texas, Div of life sciences, Dept of Biology, San Antonio, TX,US