Involvement of noradrenergic system in a remarkably rapid tongue clonus produced by acute hypnotic doses of ethanol in Fischer F344 rats

Ethanol (2.95 g/kg, IP) eliminated the righting reflex and induced vigorous tongue clonus spontaneously or following tactile tongue stimulation in Fischer F344 rats. Responses normally lasted 30-60 min, and was reinstated by tactile stimulation in those cases where it subsided quickly. Sub-hypnotic (1.95 g/kg) or high (3.95 g/kg) doses failed to elicit clonus, even after tactile stimulation. A lipophilic α₁-adrenergic agonist (St 587) promptly initiated tongue clonus in rats treated with a 3.95 g/kg dose of ethanol. Prazosin, a selective α₁-adrenergic antagonist, blocked clonus, while the dopamine selective antagonist pimozide failed to modify this response. We infer an α₁-adrenergic effect in which norepinephrine is released by ethanol.