Ethanol (EtOH) produces intoxication through actions on the central nervous system (CNS) at concentrations ranging from low to ~100 mM (at least in non-tolerant humans and experimental animals). A number of proteins involved in synaptic transmission are altered by EtOH effects within this concentration range. The target proteins include, but are not limited to, ion channels, neurotransmitter receptors, and intracellular signaling proteins. The first section of this article will review the literature describing the most prominent acute EtOH effects on synaptic transmission in the CNS. This review is not meant to be comprehensive, but rather to cover those effects that have been observed most consistently and are thought to contribute to intoxication.
