There are many ways of organizing a review of this type. One could organize the material chronologically, by the molecular or synaptic targets of alcohol, or simply highlight the new and novel. We have chosen instead to organize the material in two ways: firstly, by considering in turn each of the many networks and brain regions affected by alcohol (see e.g. Figure 1), and thereby attempt to integrate in vitro physiological studies in specific brain regions (e.g. amygdala, ventral tegmental area, prefrontal cortex, thalamus, cerebellum etc.) within the context of alcohol’s behavioral actions in vivo (e.g. anxiolysis, sedation, motor incoordination). Secondly, as discussed above we have chosen to highlight effects that occur at lower alcohol concentrations, and try to point out the most important and likely existing molecular and cellular targets for alcohol, bearing in mind that the targets for anxiolysis, diuresis, mild cognitive impairment and mild euphoria (all features of social intoxication and within the L range) will probably be more sensitive than the targets that mediate gross motor incoordination, amnesia, emesis and unconsciousness (usually within the M range).
