Seven chronic alcoholics, aged 53 to 70, demonstrated transient signs of parkinsonism provoked by alcohol withdrawal or chronic severe intoxication. All showed improvement or recovery when they abstained or decreased their alcohol intake for several days to weeks. Animal studies have demonstrated impaired striatal dopaminergic function during severe ethanol intoxication or withdrawal. Chronic alcoholism apparently can exacerbate or uncover latent central dopaminergic deficiency.