ABSTRACT
This chapter attempts to assess present state of knowledge of the effects of alcohol on the nervous system, relating this where possible to aggressive behaviour. Knowledge of the mechanisms by which alcohol changes the functioning of individual nerve cells is fundamental to any explanation of acute central nervous effects, and provides a first step towards understanding the problems underlying central nervous tolerance and dependence. In contrast to drugs with specific targets, one cannot directly reverse the neurophysiological effects of alcohol. Alcohol appears likely to affect all brain regions, but it would seem appropriate to focus, at least initially, on those areas most intimately concerned with the expression of aggressive behaviour. As alcohol exerts very wide-ranging and complex effects upon aspects of neurophysiology and hormone production/degradation, it might be expected to alter any or all of these processes in the same or differing situations.
