Brain structures activated during ethanol withdrawal have been mapped by visualizing c-fos mRNA expression. The regional distribution of c-fos mRNA in brain during ethanol withdrawal can be mimicked by acute injection of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) and is stereospecifically blocked by the NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801. The findings reveal that the dentate gyrus and piriform cortex are selectively activated during ethanol withdrawal and suggest that this may be mediated by glutamate activation of NMDA receptors.