Potentiation of ethanol narcosis by dopamine- and l-DOPA-based isoquinolines

The isoquinolines, salsolinol and 3-carboxysalsolinol, prolong ethanol-induced narcosis in mice. Pretreatment with carbidopa increases the effect of 3-carboxysalsolinol but not of salsolinol. These results suggest that ethanol sleeping-time potentiation by l-LOPA may involve a partial conversion to the isoquinoline in vivo. A central depressant action of salsolinol or the 3-carboxy analogue is suggested.