Ethanol-derived acetaldehyde: pleasure and pain of alcohol mechanism of action

Acetaldehyde (ACD), the first metabolite of ethanol (EtOH), has been implicated in several actions of alcohol, including its reinforcing effects. Previously considered an aversive compound, ACD was useful in alcoholic’s pharmacological treatment aimed at discouraging alcohol drinking.

However, it has recently been shown that EtOH-derived ACD is necessary for EtOH-induced place preference and