N1--P2 component of the auditory evoked potential during alcohol intoxication and interaction of pyrithioxine in healthy adults.

The auditory evoked potential was used to assess the effect of alcohol intoxication (1 g/kg) and pyrithioxine (7 mg/kg) on 9 adult subjects. Its components in the latency range 50--250 msec (N1--P2) were studied for 6 g 30 min, during a constant level of alertness. Four periods were considered: alcohol alone, alcohol plus pyrithioxine, pyrithioxine plus alcohol and placebo. With alcohol alone the N1--P2 amplitude was small in the first part of the test and large in the second part as compared to placebo values. Pyrithioxine antagonism was greatest after alcohol had been resorbed. The placebo period indicated that amplitude changes were not due to long-term habituation, when the subject was kept alert.