Dysregulation of neurocircuitry and brain structure through altered neurotransmitter systems, endogenous peptides, hormone systems, and neuroimmune processes has been implicated for alcohol and other drugs of abuse 1-3. These numerous biological events call attention to the need for large-scale analyses to uncover the diverse pathways and mechanisms that are most prominent in addiction. Responses to repeated environmental and chemical stimuli cause enduring central nervous system (CNS) adaptations through coordinate actions of gene expression 4. Identifying end-stage CNS expression differences associated with human alcohol consumption will be instrumental in translating fundamental laboratory findings into human health.
