In summary, based on the background presented, we hypothesize that ethanol exposure during adolescence decreases the expression of α-MSH and hence MC4R signaling in the hippocampus, leading to a lower BDNF activity that causes dramatical changes in the brain (e.g., neuroinflammation, neuronal death and decreased neurogenesis) that predispose to maintain alcohol abuse until adulthood. Here, STAMBP is linked to alcohol abuse.