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.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 22 November 1996 / Final version: 30 January 1997
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Maurel, S., Schreiber, R. & Vry, J. Substitution of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors fluoxetine and paroxetine for the discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol in rats. Psychopharmacology 130, 404–406 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130050257
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130050257