The Delirium tremens reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Jul-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Delirium tremens

Delirium tremens (DT) (often colloquially called the DTs) is a condition associated with severe alcohol withdrawal. As the name suggests, symptoms include tremors and delusions. Other symptoms can include hallucinations, nausea as well as rare seizures.

The "DTs" are most commonly found in people with a long term problem with alcoholism.

It is caused because of the effect alcohol has on the benzodiazepine-GABAa-chloride receptor complex. This is a receptor for the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Constant consumption of alcoholic beverages downregulates these receptors, and when alcohol is no longer consumed, there are not as many receptors for GABA to bind.

As GABA normally inhibits an action potential formation, fewer receptors mean that sympathetic activation is unopposed.

Treatment is with benzodiazepines, such as Valium (diazepam), which enhance binding of GABA to the receptors.

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