No abstract

Alcohol is the most used psychoactive substance in our society. The nervous system is a specific target tissue for alcohol. The substance interacts with numerous receptors of neurotransmission systems, particularly NMDA, GABA and glutamatergic receptors, inducing a depressant effect on the CNS, brain damage and cognitive deficits. The pathological effects of alcohol use on the central nervous system (CNS) are well known, and there are numerous neurological disorders of an acute nature. This article is a review of the available literature on the main complications of excessive alcohol consumption on the central and/or peripheral nervous system. The study reviews several scientific articles selected from PubMed, MedLine, LILACS and SCIELO databases. The most common complications are intoxication, alcohol withdrawal, Wernicke's emcephalopathy and hepatic encephalopathy. All these problems have significant morbidity and mortality, and early and correct diagnosis and the timely institution of treatment are essential in order to avoid or interrupt possible irreversible complications.