In contrast to the effects on GABA release, the vast majority of studies indicate that acute EtOH either has no effect or inhibits release of glutamate (reviewed in Siggins et al. 2005, although see Xiao et al. 2009; Eggers and Berger 2004). These findings suggest a fundamental difference between GABAergic and glutamatergic terminals in most brain regions that may be useful in determining what factors contribute to EtOH sensitivity of release.
