Substitution of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors fluoxetine and paroxetine for the discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol in rats

Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1997 Apr;130(4):404-6. doi: 10.1007/s002130050257.

Abstract

Rats trained to discriminate ethanol (EtOH, 1 g/kg IP) from saline in a two-lever procedure completely generalized to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) fluoxetine and paroxetine. Substitution of fluoxetine was completely blocked by the selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist MDL 100,907 and not affected by the selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY-100635. It is suggested that the previously reported effectiveness of SSRIs in reducing EtOH consumption could be based on similarities in discriminative stimulus effects of SSRIs and EtOH. Stimulation of 5-HT2A receptors may underlie these stimulus similarities and contribute to the EtOH intake-reducing effects of SSRIs.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / administration & dosage*
  • Conditioning, Operant
  • Discrimination, Psychological*
  • Ethanol / administration & dosage*
  • Fluoxetine / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Paroxetine / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A
  • Receptors, Serotonin / drug effects
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Depressants
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Fluoxetine
  • Ethanol
  • Paroxetine