The second oxidative step in brain alcohol metabolism, converting acetaldehyde to acetate, is primarily carried out by mitochondrial ALDH2. In addition to the effects of ethanol itself, its metabolites—acetaldehyde and acetate—have distinct neurological effects that may contribute to alcohol’s pharmacologic actions (140, 141). Variations in ALDH2 expression across different brain regions may remarkably influence local concentrations of acetaldehyde and acetate, thereby impacting behavior (106, 139).
