Acetaldehyde: Its Role in Alcoholic Toxicity and Dependence

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Abstract
Summary: The role of acetaldehyde in the pathogenisis of alcohol‐induced tissue damage and of alcoholism is discussed. Although there are technical difficulties in the measurement of plasma acetaldehyde, the levels appear to be elevated in chronic alcoholics and this may reflect the reduced hepatic activity of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase in these patients. Even though acetaldehyde can form morphine‐like adducts with certain CNS biogenic amines, it remains to be demonstrated that these phenomena are important in alcoholics. The role of acetaldehyde toxicity in alcoholism remains at present not proven.