Mammalian genetics in the study of alcohol and anesthetic actions.

Rodent lines differing in genetic sensitivity to ethanol have been selected using a variety of behavioral end points to assess ethanol action. The use, albeit limited, of these lines to study anesthetic action is presented. In addition, one pair of lines has been selected for differences in sensitivity to nitrous oxide anesthesia, and studies with these lines are reviewed. Several of these selected lines of rodents have been used to study neurochemical mechanisms of ethanol action, and the importance of combining classical and molecular genetic approaches is discussed. Genetic studies support the concept of multiple mechanisms of action of ethanol and indicate that these mechanisms are not necessarily the same for ethanol, barbiturates, or gaseous anesthetics.