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 by the effect of alcohol on the benzodiazepine-GABAa-chloride receptor complex 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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