SUBCHRONIC ADMINISTRATION OF ETHANOL TO MICE DOES NOT MODIFY THE INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF DIELDRIN, ABAMECTIN AND THE DIHYDROPYRAZOLE RH-3421 AT THEIR RESPECTIVE SITES OF ACTION IN THE NERVOUS-SYSTEM

1. The potential influence of sub-chronic ethanol treatment on the abi lity of three chemical classes of insecticide to interact with their n euronal sites of action has been investigated in mouse brain. 2. Ethan ol administration did not influence the inhibitory effects of either t he cyclodiene dieldrin or the avermectin abamectin as determined by in hibition of GABA-stimulated chloride uptake. 3. Likewise there was als o no discernable change in the sensitivity of sodium channels to inhib ition by dihydropyrazole RH-3421 with sub-chronic ethanol treatment as assessed indirectly using a membrane potential assay. 4. The results of this study indicate that short term dietary exposure to ethanol fai ls to cause functional changes to the primary target sites of cyclodie nes, avermectins and dihydropyrazoles in the mammalian central nervous system.