Low GABA transporter levels linked to alcohol dependence

In a Science paper published Wednesday, researchers at Linkoping University and colleagues showed a link between alcohol dependence and decreased levels of solute carrier family 6 member 11 (SLC6A11; GAT3) and increased gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling, providing additional support for a biological basis underlying addiction.

Previous studies have shown that alcohol affects short-term GABA signaling. However, the biological mechanisms driving alcohol addiction, including whether large-scale changes in GABA levels and its signaling effects are involved, remain unknown...