Intravenous Ethanol Infusion Decreases Human Cortical γ-Aminobutyric Acid and N-Acetylaspartate as Measured with Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy at 4 Tesla

Ethanol reduced cortical GABA and NAA levels in humans. Reductions in GABA levels are consistent with facilitation of GABAA receptor function by ethanol. The gradual decline in NAA levels suggests inhibition of neural or metabolic activity in the brain.