Disulfram is a drug that acts as a copper CHELATING AGENT. This property means that it can affect chemicals in the body that contain copper. One such is the enzyme DOPAMINE BETA HYDROXYLASE, the enzyme involved in the conversion of DOPAMINE to NORADRENALINE. As such, disulfram can be used to inhibit the formation of noradrenaline in neurons. However, its better known medical property probably does not rely on this action.
Disulfram is given to patients who have recovered from ALCOHOLISM and who wish to avoid further ALCOHOL ABUSE. Disulfram inhibits (again, by chelation of copper) the activity of the enzyme aldehyde dehyrodgenase, which is involved in the conversion of acetaldehyde to acetate, part of the sequence of alcohol metabolism in the body. Without this enzyme, if alcohol is consumed, levels of acetaldehyde in the body rise and are accompanied by sordid and ghastly effects, including nausea, vomiting and problems with respiration. A single dose of disulfram has effects lasting last for up to 2 weeks, and only a small amount of alcohol is required to trigger the unpleasant consequences. Disulfram therefore helps keep recovered alcoholics away from alcohol by threatening extreme NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT.
Reference
Feldman R., Meyer J.S. & Quenzer L.F. (1997) Principles of Neuropsychopharmacology, Sinauer Associates: Sunderland MA.
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