Effect of dithiocarbamate fungicides and thiurams on 3H-haloperidol binding in rat brain

Dithiocarbamates and disulfiram have been shown to be neurotoxic. As one biochemical indicator of the toxicity, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase is inhibited in the brain. Consequently, noradrenaline synthesis is decreased and dopamine tends to accumulate in the brain. It was decided to examine whether cerebral dopaminergic D2-receptor binding is affected by these agents after their short-term administration to rats. It appeared that ferbam, maneb, nabam, zineb, disulfiram, thiram and ethylene thiourea did not change significantly D2-receptor binding at doses which were already overtly toxic.