"Science Briefs" summarize the findings and implications of a recent study in basic science or clinical research. This brief reports on the study "Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure on GABAergic Neurons" (V. C. Cuzone; P. W. L. Yeh; Y. Yanagawa; K. Obata; and H. H. Yeh). Study results indicate that even exposure to low levels of alcohol during pregnancy can initiate a cascade of atypical development that results in distinct imbalances of excitation and inhibition during postnatal development and in the adult. This imbalance can be detrimental because the excitation and inhibition signals are critical for the maturation of brain circuits that control important functions. [Study Title and Authors: Cuzone, V.C., Yeh, P.W.L., Yanagawa, Y., Obata, K. & Yeh, H.H. (2008). Effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on GABAergic neurons. "Journal of Neuroscience," 28:1854-1864.]