Limited attention has been given to our understanding of how the brain responds to low-dose alcohol (ethanol) and what molecular and cellular targets mediate these effects. Even at concentrations lower than 10 mM (0.046 g% blood alcohol concentration, BAC), below the legal driving limit in the USA (BAC 0.08 g%), alcohol impacts brain function and behavior. Understanding what molecular and cellular targets mediate the initial effects of alcohol and subsequent neuroplasticity could provide a better understanding of vulnerability or resilience to developing alcohol use disorders. We review here what is known about the neurobiology of low-dose alcohol, provide insights into potential molecular targets, and discuss future directions and challenges in further defining targets of low-dose alcohol at the molecular, cellular, and circuitry levels.

我们对大脑对低剂量酒精（乙醇）的反应方式以及分子和细胞靶标介导这些作用的方式的理解受到了有限的关注。即使浓度低于10 mM（血液酒精浓度0.046 g％，BAC），低于美国的法定驾驶限值（BAC 0.08 g％），酒精也会影响大脑的功能和行为。了解哪些分子和细胞靶标会介导酒精的初步作用以及随后的神经可塑性，可以更好地了解对发展中的酒精使用障碍的脆弱性或适应性。我们在这里回顾有关低剂量酒精的神经生物学的知识，提供对潜在分子靶标的见解，并讨论在进一步定义分子，细胞和电路水平的低剂量酒精靶标方面的未来方向和挑战。