Journal of Alcohol (JA) is an international, peer-reviewed publication dedicated to advancing the toxicological understanding of alcohol's effects on biological systems. We publish high-quality research examining the mechanisms of alcohol toxicity, dose-response relationships, metabolic pathways, biomarker discovery, and exposure assessment across organ systems—with particular emphasis on neurotoxicology, hepatotoxicity, and systemic toxic effects.
As a discipline-focused toxicology journal, JA provides a scholarly platform for researchers investigating how alcohol and its metabolites interact with cellular machinery, disrupt homeostatic processes, and induce pathological changes. Our scope encompasses molecular toxicology, biochemical mechanisms, genetic susceptibility, environmental exposure science, and quantitative risk assessment—supporting evidence-based policy and prevention strategies worldwide.
Research Excellence in Alcohol Toxicology
Mechanistic Focus
JA prioritizes research that elucidates the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying alcohol toxicity. We welcome studies employing advanced toxicological methodologies including in vitro cellular models, ex vivo tissue systems, animal toxicology, computational modeling, and high-throughput screening platforms.
Our editorial board seeks manuscripts that clarify toxicity pathways, identify adverse outcome pathways (AOPs), characterize metabolite toxicology, and advance mechanistic biomarker development for exposure monitoring and risk stratification.
Exposure Science
Understanding alcohol exposure patterns, bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and dose-response relationships is essential for toxicological assessment. JA publishes research on exposure characterization, population biomonitoring, occupational exposure, environmental sources, and analytical method development.
We encourage submissions utilizing biomarker analysis, metabolomics, exposure modeling, and dosimetry to quantify alcohol-related toxic burden across diverse populations and exposure scenarios.
Toxicological Scope & Editorial Standards
Journal of Alcohol maintains rigorous editorial standards aligned with Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines. All submissions undergo thorough peer review by toxicology specialists who evaluate mechanistic rigor, experimental design, dose-response characterization, and translational relevance.
- Neurotoxicology: Mechanisms of alcohol-induced neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and neuronal dysfunction
- Hepatotoxicity: Metabolic pathways, oxidative injury, steatosis mechanisms, and toxic metabolite formation
- Systemic Toxicity: Cardiovascular, renal, immunological, and endocrine system toxic effects
- Developmental Toxicology: Fetal alcohol toxicity, teratogenic mechanisms, and developmental programming
- Genetic Toxicology: DNA damage, mutagenesis, epigenetic modifications, and genetic susceptibility factors
Priority Research Areas
Molecular Toxicity Mechanisms
Cellular signaling disruption, protein modification, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and apoptotic pathway activation induced by alcohol and its metabolites.
Oxidative Stress & Toxicity
Reactive oxygen species generation, antioxidant depletion, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and redox imbalance contributing to alcohol-related toxic injury.
Metabolic Toxicology
Alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase pathways, acetaldehyde toxicity, metabolic enzyme polymorphisms, and cytochrome P450-mediated bioactivation.
Dose-Response Assessment
Toxicokinetic modeling, threshold determination, benchmark dose analysis, and quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) for alcohol toxicity prediction.
Biomarker Discovery
Identification and validation of exposure biomarkers, effect biomarkers, susceptibility biomarkers, and molecular signatures of alcohol-induced toxicity for monitoring and risk assessment.
Risk Assessment & Modeling
Population-based risk characterization, physiologically-based toxicokinetic (PBTK) modeling, exposure-response assessment, and regulatory toxicology applications.
Editorial Leadership
Expert Guidance in Alcohol Toxicology
Journal of Alcohol is guided by an international editorial board comprising toxicologists, biochemists, pharmacologists, and exposure scientists with specialized expertise in alcohol research. Our editors ensure that published research meets the highest standards of toxicological rigor, reproducibility, and mechanistic clarity.
The editorial team actively seeks manuscripts that advance fundamental understanding of alcohol toxicity mechanisms, contribute to adverse outcome pathway frameworks, support evidence-based risk assessment, and inform prevention strategies. We prioritize innovative methodologies, translational findings, and research addressing knowledge gaps in alcohol toxicology.
View our complete editorial board and their areas of specialization at Editorial Board.
Publication Process & Quality Assurance
Peer Review Excellence
JA employs rigorous single-blind peer review conducted by toxicology specialists. Reviewers evaluate:
- Mechanistic clarity and toxicological plausibility
- Experimental design and dose selection rationale
- Analytical method validation and quality control
- Statistical rigor and dose-response characterization
- Ethical compliance with animal research standards
Authors receive constructive feedback aimed at strengthening mechanistic interpretation and enhancing translational value.
Open Access Benefits
All JA articles are published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) licensing, ensuring:
- Immediate global access to alcohol toxicology research
- Enhanced citation potential and research impact
- Compliance with funding agency mandates
- Freedom to share, adapt, and build upon published work
- Support for evidence-based policy development
Learn more about publication fees and waivers at APC Information.
Ethical Standards & Research Integrity
Journal of Alcohol adheres to the highest ethical standards for toxicology research:
- Mandatory institutional animal care committee approval for in vivo toxicology studies
- Compliance with ARRIVE guidelines for animal research reporting
- Human tissue/biospecimen research requires appropriate ethical oversight
- Transparent reporting of funding sources and potential conflicts of interest
- Zero tolerance for data fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism
- Commitment to reproducibility through detailed methodological reporting
Review our complete editorial policies at Editorial Policies.
Advance Alcohol Toxicology Science
Join leading toxicologists, biochemists, and exposure scientists in advancing mechanistic understanding of alcohol's toxic effects. Submit your research to a journal committed to rigorous peer review, ethical publication practices, and global open access.
