The effects of ethanol on cerebellar Purkinje cells in naive and alcohol-dependent rats.

In urethane-anesthetized rats, ethanol (1.5 g/kg, i.v.) increased the rate of discharge of cerebellar Purkinje cells, increased their regularity of discharge, and reduced or eliminated the climbing fibre evoked bursts. Most of the neurones responding in this manner exhibited an acute tolerance to the drug. Another group of rats was made alcohol dependent by feeding them for 2 weeks on a diet containing ethanol (12.5-16.5 g/kg per day). Ethanol produced similar but reduced effects on Purkinje cells of these animals.