Alcohol has many effects on central nervous system (CNS) excitability that may underlie its acute and chronic effects on brain function and behavior. In recent years alcohol effects at the synapse have deservedly received a great deal of attention [1]. The focus on actions of alcohol at the synapse is justified, as modification of CNS inhibitory and excitatory synaptic transmission occurs in response to acute and chronic alcohol (reviewed in this edition by Roberto and Varodayan [67]). It is important to remember, however, that the output of individual neurons (and hence neuronal networks) is dependent on the intrinsic excitability of the neuron itself, as well as the synaptic inputs it receives, as such inputs are processed and transduced by the electrical properties of the dendritic tree and soma of the postsynaptic neuron. One of the more interesting recent developments in the field has been a variety of studies showing that acute and chronic exposure to alcohol can modulate voltage-dependent and independent ion channels that regulate excitability. These include so-called “leak” channels that are active around the resting membrane potential (RMP)
