Alcohol and

Scientists have long sought themechanisms by which alcoholacts on the brain to modify be-havior. An important finding is the demonstration that alcohol can affect the function of specific neurotransmit-ters1 (Lovinger et al. 1989). Studies of neurotransmitters and the receptors to which they bind have provided data on both the structure and the mecha-nism of action of these molecules as well as clues to their role in behavior. However, the function of individual neurotransmitters and their receptors cannot entirely explain a syndrome as complex as alcoholism. Neurotransmitter systems do not function in isolation. Therefore, scien-tists are paying increasing attention to the integration of communication systems in the brain. Although the study of neural integration is in its infancy, enough has been learned to help guide future research. This article suggests mechanisms by which alco-hol consumption may affect multiple neurotransmitter systems to influence behavior. NEUROTRANSMITTER SYSTEMS WORK TOGETHER Communication among neurons is organized in interacting levels. The most basic level of complexity is the arrangement of connections (i.e., synapses) between individual neurons