Linking GABAA receptor subunits to alcohol-induced conditioned taste aversion and recovery from acute alcohol intoxication

► We used mutant mice to link specific behavioral actions of ethanol to single subunits of GABAA receptor. ► Aversion to ethanol induced requires the α2 subunit. ► Recovery from acute ethanol intoxication appears to be controlled by α2 and α3 subunits. ► Our results may be relevant to the genetic linkage of the α2 subunit with human alcohol dependence.