The consequences of 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) exposure in animals merits attention both because of its unique neurotoxic effects and as a potential model compound of human dyskinetic disorders. An important question that remains to be determined is whether IDPN itself or a putative active metabolite is responsible for the neurotoxic actions of the chemical in vivo. The present work tested the hypothesis that IDPN must be metabolized by the liver to an active metabolite to become neurotoxic. Thus a reduction in IDPN neurotoxicity would be expected when liver function is compromised. Male Long-Evans rats were given ip injections of saline, 100 (IDPN1) or 200 (IDPN2) mg/kg of IDPN for three days. Half of the animals in each IDPN dose group received corn oil po and the other half 1 g/kg of the hepatotoxicant carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for three days, starting one day before IDPN administration. Body weights were obtained regularly after exposure. Horizontal and vertical motor activity, and acoustic startle response were monitored prior to, and 1,3,9 and 16 weeks after IDPN exposure. An observational rating score was obtained at 1, 3 and 9 weeks. Auditory thresholds for 5- and 40-kHz tones were estimated by reflex modification procedures at 10 weeks. Animals receiving IDPN2 alone displayed the overt behavioral signs characteristic of IDPN intoxication (postural disturbances, head dyskinesias, backward walking, circling, increased motor activity, and decreased startle response). They also showed weight loss, hyperactivity, a transient rearing deficit, decreased startle amplitudes and elevated auditory thresholds for low- and high-frequency tones. None of these symptoms were observed in the animals treated with CCl4 alone, and only a mild transient effect on the observational rating score was shown by the IDPN1 alone animals. In contrast, IDPN1/CCl4 resulted in the same or higher toxicity than the IDPN2 treatment. IDPN2/CCl4 resulted in severe toxicity (38% mortality over a two-week period) and enhanced body weight and behavioral effects compared to IDPN2 alone group. Impairment of xenobiotic biotransformation was confirmed by elevated pentobarbital sleeping time in animals under the same CCl4 dosing regimen. In conclusion, pretreatment with hepatotoxic dosages of CCl4 leads to increased toxicity of IDPN. This suggests that hepatic transformation of the chemical is not required for the manifestation of IDPN-induced neurotoxicity, but instead may be involved in the detoxification of this compound.