Abstract
There is growing research and clinical interest in the role of brain serotonin in regulating alcohol consumption, based on two lines of evidence: negative correlations between brain serotonin levels and spontaneous alcohol consumption in rodents, and decreased alcohol intake produced by drug-induced increases in brain serotonin activity in rodents and humans. Specific blockers of neuronal serotonin uptake, such as Citalopram, fluoxetine, and zimelidine, are the major drugs used in such studies. More than a dozen studies have consistently found that such specific serotonin uptake blockers reduce alcohol preference and intake in rodents, whereas nonspecific monoamine uptake blockers (e. g., amitriptyline, doxepin) do not. The effect begins within 1 hr of administration, wears off within several days of stopping drug, and often shows tolerance after 4–10 days of daily administration (the opposite time course from antidepressant action in humans). In four human, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, Citalopram (40 mg but not 20 mg daily), fluoxetine (80 mg daily), and zimelidine (200 mg more than 300 mg daily) significantly reduced alcohol intake 10–26% in social drinkers, early problem drinkers, and chronic alcoholics. The effect occurred within a few days, wore off within several days of stopping drug, and lasted throughout the 2–4 weeks of drug administration, except that in the fluoxetine study with chronic alcoholics the effect was significant only during the first week. The reduced alcohol intake was not due to sedation, antidepression, or antianxiety effects, or an aversive drug-alcohol interaction, but could be explained in part by decreased appetitive behavior (two studies found that subjects lost weight) or a conditioned (taste) aversion to alcohol promoted by serotonin (as occurs in animals). Further research is also needed to clarify the neuropharmacological mechanism of action, since the alcohol intake-reducing effects in rodents are not blocked by serotonin receptor antagonists or brain serotonin depletion. Regardless of mechanism, serotonin uptake blockers offer a potentially promising new treatment for alcoholism.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
McBride WJ, Murphy JM, Lumeng L, et al: The role of serotonin in ethanol preference, in Galanter M (ed): Recent Developments in Alcoholism, Vol 7. New York, Plenum Press, 1988.
Amit Z, Sutherland EA, Gill K, et al: Zimelidine: A review of its effects on ethanol consumption. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 8: 35–54, 1984.
Naranjo CA, Sellers EM, Lawrin MO: Modulation of ethanol intake by serotonin uptake inhibitors. J Clin Psychiatry 47(4 suppl): 16–22, 1986.
Fuller RW, Wong DT: Serotonin reuptake in vitro and in vivo. J Clin Psychopharmacol 7(6 suppl): 36–43, 1987.
Hill SY: Intraventricular injection of 5-hydroxytryptamine and alcohol consumption in rats. Biol Psychiatry 8: 151–158, 1974.
Myers RD, Veale WL: The determinants of alcohol preference in animals, in Begleiter H, Kissin B (eds): Biology of Alcoholism, Vol. 2. New York, Plenum Press, 1972, pp 131–168.
Zabik JE, Binkerd K, Roache JD: Serotonin and ethanol aversion in the rat, in Naranjo CA, Sellers EM (eds): Research Advances in New Psychopharmacological Treatments for Alcoholism. Amsterdam, Excerpta Medica, 1985, pp 87–105.
Geller I: Effects of para-chlorophenylalanine and 5-hydroxytryptophan on alcohol intake in the rat. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1: 361–365, 1973.
Myers RD, Martin GE: The role of cerebral serotonin in the ethanol preference of animals. Ann NY Acad Sci 215: 135–144, 1975.
Zabik, JE, Liao SS, Jeffreys M, et al: The effects of DL-5-hydroxytryptophan on ethanol consumption by rats. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol 20: 69–78, 1978.
Miksic SL, Barry H, Krimmer EC: Increased serotonin activity reduces alcohol preference in rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 6: 149, 1982.
Walters JK: Effects of PCPA on the consumption of alcohol, water and other solutions. Pharmcol Biochem Behav 6: 377–383, 1977.
Lawrin MO, Naranjo CA, Sellers EM: Enhanced serotonergic neurotransmission decreases ethanol consumption: Consistent results with a serotonin agonist. Proc Can Fed Biol Soc 28: 81, 1985.
Myers RD, Melchior CL: Alcohol drinking in the rat after destruction of serotonergic and catecholaminergic neurons in the brain. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol 10: 363–378, 1975.
Sprince H, Parker CM, Smith GG, et al: Alcoholism: Biochemical and nutritional aspects of brain amines, aldehydes, and amino acids. Nutr Rep Int 5: 185–200, 1972.
Rockman GE, Amit Z, Brown ZW, et al: An investigation of action of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the suppression of ethanol intake. Neuropharmacology 21: 341–347, 1982.
Murphy JM, Waller MB, Gatto GJ, et al: Monoamine uptake inhibitors attenuate ethanol intake in alcohol-preferring (P) rats. Alcohol 2: 349–352, 1985.
Geller I, Hartmann RJ, Messiha FS: Effects of cinanserin, a serotonin antagonist, on ethanol preference in the rat. Proc West Pharmacol Soc 18: 141–145, 1975.
Kiianmaa K: Alcohol intake in the rat after lowering brain 5-hydroxytryptamine content by electrolytic midbrain raphe lesions, 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine or p-chlorophenylalanine. Med Biol 54: 203–209, 1976.
Lorens SA: Some behavioral effects of serotonin depletion depend on method. A comparison of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine, p-chlorophenylalanine and electrolytic raphe lesions. Ann NY Acad Sci 305: 532–555, 1978.
Yoshimoto K, Komura S: Reexamination of the relationship betwen alcohol preference and brain monoamines in inbred strains of mice including senescence-accelerated mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 27: 317–322, 1987.
Murphy JM, McBride WJ, Lumeng L, et al: Alcohol preference and regional brain monoamine contents of N/NIH heterogeneous stock rats. Alc Drug Res 7: 33–39, 1986.
Murphy JM, McBride WJ, Lumeng L, et al: Regional brain levels of monoamines in alcoholpreferring and nonpreferring lines of rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 16: 245–249, 1982.
Murphy JM, McBride WJ, Lumeng L, et al: Contents of monoamines in forebrain regions of alcohol-preferring (P) and-nonpreferring (NP) lines of rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 26: 389–392, 1987.
Wong DT, Lumeng L, Threlkeld PG, Reid LR, Li T-K: Serotonergic and adrenergic receptors in alcohol-preferring and non-preferring rats. J Neural Trans 71: 207–218, 1988.
Ho AKS, Tasi CS, Kissin B: Neurochemical correlates of alcohol preference in inbred strains of mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 3: 1073–1076, 1975.
Pickett RA, II, Collins AC: Use of genetic analysis to test the potential role of serotonin in alcohol preference. Life Sci 17: 1291–1296, 1975.
Ahtee L, Eriksson K: 5-Hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid content in brain of rat strains selected for their alcohol intake. Physiol Behav 8: 123–126, 1972.
Ahtee L, Eriksson K: Regional distribution of brain 5-hydroxytyptamine in rat strains selected for their alcohol intake. Ann NY Acad Sci 215: 126–134, 1973.
Orenberg EK, Zarcone VP, Renson JF, et al: The effects of ethanol ingestion on cyclic AMP, homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in human cerebrospinal fluid. Life Sci 19: 1669–1672, 1976.
Zarcone V, Barchas J, Hoddes E, Montplaisir J, Sack R, Wilson R: Experimental ethanol ingestions: Sleep variables and metabolites of dopamine and serotonin in the cerebrospinal fluid. Adv Exp Med Biol 59: 431–451, 1975.
Ballenger JC, Goodwin FK, Major LF, et al: Alcohol and central serotonin metabolism in man. Arch Gen Psychiatry 36: 224–227, 1979.
Banki C: Factors influencing monoamine metabolites and tryptophan in patients with alcohol dependence. J Neural Trans 50: 98–101, 1981.
Borg S, Kvande H, Liljeberg P, et al: 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid in cerebrospinal fluid in alcoholic patients under different clinical conditions. Alcohol 2: 415–418, 1985.
Baccino E, Caroff J, Menez JF, Mottier D, Floch HH: Changes in metabolites of neuroamines in CSF during withdrawal in alcoholics with hepatopaty. Alc Alcohol 22: A21, 1987.
Takhashi S, Yamane H, Kondo H, et al: CSF monoamine metabolites in alcoholism: A comparative study with depression. Folia Psychiatrica Neurologica Jap 28: 347–354, 1974.
Carlsson A, Adolfsson R, Aquilonius SM, Gottfries CG, Oreland L, Svennerholm L, Winblad B: Biogenic amines in human brain in normal aging, senile dementia and chronic alcoholism. In Goldstein, M, et al. (eds): Ergot Compounds and Brain Function: Neuroendocrine and Neuropsychiatrie Aspects. New York, Raven Press, 1980, pp 295–304.
Baccino E, Menez JF, Caroff J, Henry A, Mottier D, Floch H: Changes in serotonin uptake and storage in platelets during withdrawal of alcoholics with hepatopaty. Alc Alcohol 22: A21, 1987.
Olson RE, Gursey D, Vester JW: Evidence for defect in tryptophan metabolism in chronic alcoholism. N Engl J Med 263: 1169–1174, 1960.
Murphy GE, Guze SB, King LJ: Urinary excretion of 5-HIAA in chronic alcoholism. J Am Med Assoc 182: 167, 1962.
Lawrin M, Naranjo CA, Sellers EM: Studies on the mechanism of zimelidine-induced decrease in alcohol consumption in rats. Proc Can Fed Biol Soc 26: 116, 1983.
Le Bourhis B, Uzan A, Aufrere G, et al.: Effects de l’indalpine, inhibiteur specifique de la recapture de la Serotonine sur la dependance comportementale a l’ethanol et sur la prise volontaire d’alcohol chez le rat. Ann Pharm Fr 39: 11–20, 1981.
Zabik, JE, Roache JD, Sidor R, Nash JF, Jr.: effects of fluoxetine on ethanol preference in the rat. Pharmacologist 24: 204, 1982.
Rockman GE, Amit Z, Carr G, et al: Attenuation of ethanol intake by 5-hydroxtryptamine uptake blockade in laboratory rats. I. Involvement of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine in the mediation of the positive reinforcing properties of ethanol. Arch Int Pharmacodyn 241: 145–159, 1979.
Hyttel J, Larsen J: Neuropharmacological mechanisms of serotonin reuptake inhibitors, in Naranjo CA, Sellers EM (eds): Research Advances in New Psychopharmacological Treatments for Alcoholism. Amsterdam, Excerpta Medica, 1985, pp 107–121.
Mendels J: Clinical experience with serotonin reuptake inhibiting antidepressants. J Clin Psychiatry 48(3 suppl): 26–30, 1987.
Gill K, Amit Z, Ogren SO: The effects of zimelidine on voluntary ethanol consumption: Studies on the mechanism of action. Alcohol 2: 343–347, 1985.
Amit Z, Brown Z, Sutherland Z, et al: Reduction in alcohol intake in humans as a function of treatment with zimelidine: Implications for treatment, in Naranjo CA, Sellers EM (eds): Research Advances in New Psychopharmacological Treatments for Alcoholism. Amsterdam, Excerpta Medica, 1985, pp 189–198.
Naranjo CA, Sellers EM, Roach CA, Woodley DV, Sanchez-Craig M, Sykora K: Zimelidineinduced variations in alcohol intake by nondepressed heavy drinkers. Clin Pharmacol Ther 35: 374–381, 1984.
Naranjo CA, Sellers EM, Jullivan JT, Woodley DV, Kadlec K, Sykora K: The serotonin uptake inhibitor Citalopram attenuates ethanol intake. Clin Pharmacol Ther 41: 266–274, 1987.
Gorelick DA: Effect of fluoxetine on alcohol consumption in male alcoholics. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 10: 13, 1986.
American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistic Manual, Third Edition, Washington, DC, 1980, pp 169-170.
Gottheil E, Corbett LO, et al: Fixed interval drinking decisions. I. A research and treatment model. Q J Stud Alcohol 33: 311–324, 1972.
Hwang EC, Magnussen I, Van Woert MH: Effects of chronic fluoxetine administration on serotonin metabolism. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol 29: 79–98, 1980.
Lemberger L, Rowe H, Carmichael R, et al: Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor. Clin Pharmacol Ther 23: 421–429, 1978.
Ogren SO, Ross B, Hall H, et al: The pharmacology of zimelidine: A 5-HT selective reuptake inhibitor. Acta Psychiatr Scand 63 (Suppl 290): 127–151, 1981.
Wamsley JK, Byerley WF, McCabe RT, et al: Receptor alterations associated with serotonergic agents: An autoradiographic analysis. J Clin Psychiatry 48(3 suppl): 19–25, 1987.
Wong DT, Reid LR, Bymaster FP, et al: Chronic effects of fluoxetine, a selective inhibitor of serotonin uptake, on neurotransmitter receptors. J Neural Transm 64: 251–269, 1985.
Blier P, DeMontigny C, Chaput Y: Modifications of the serotonin system by antidepressant treatments: Implications for the therapeutic response in major depression. J Clin Psychopharmacol 7(6 suppl): 24–35, 1987.
Brown ZW, Amit Z, Sutherland A, et al: An examination of possible interactions betwen zimelidine, a serotonin uptake inhibitor, and ethanol ingested conjointly in human subjects. Neurosci Lett 27: 351–355, 1981.
Naranjo CA, Sellers E, Kaplan HL, et al: Acute kinetic and dynamic interactions of zimelidine with ethanol. Clin Pharmacol Ther 36: 654–660, 1984.
Scott DB, Fagan D, Tiplady B: Effects of amitriptyline and zimelidine in combination with ethanol. Psychopharmacology 76: 209–211, 1982.
Lemberger L, Rowe H, Bergstrom RF, et al: Effect of fluoxetine on psychomotor performance, physiologic response, and kinetics of ethanol. Clin Pharmacol Ther 37: 658–664, 1985.
Deitrich RA, Melchior CL: A critical assessment of animal models for testing new drugs for altering ethanol intake, in Naranjo CA, Sellers EM (eds): Research Advances in New Psychoparmacological Treatments for Alcoholism. Amsterdam, Excerpta Medica, 1985, pp 23–43.
Gill K, Amit Z: Effects of serotonin uptake blockade on food, water, and ethanol consumption in rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 11: 444–449, 1987.
Gill K, Shatz, K, Amit Z, et al: Conditioned taste aversion to ethanol induced by zimelidine. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 24: 463–468, 1986.
Zabik JE, Roache JD: 5-Hydroxytryptophan-induced conditioned taste aversion to ethanol in the rat. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 18: 785–790, 1983.
Lorden JF, Nunn WB: Effects of central and peripheral pretreatment with fluoxetine in gustatory conditioning. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 17: 435–443, 1982.
Molliver ME: Serotonergic neuronal systems: What their anatomic organization tells us about function. J Clin Psychopharmacol 7(6 suppl): 3–23, 1987.
Peroutka SJ: Serotonin receptors, in Meltzer HY (ed): Psychopharmacology, The Third Generation of Progress. New York, Raven Press, 1987, pp 303–311.
Kilpatrick GJ, Jones BJ, Tyers MB: Identification and distribution of 5-HT3 receptors in rat brain using radioligand binding. Nature 330: 746–748, 1987.
Schinitsky MR: The Effect of Modification of Serotonergic System on Alcohol and Food Consumption. Indianapolis, Eli Lilly & Co, 1977.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1989 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Gorelick, D.A. (1989). Serotonin Uptake Blockers and the Treatment of Alcoholism. In: Galanter, M. (eds) Recent Developments in Alcoholism. Recent Developments in Alcoholism, vol 7. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1678-5_14
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1678-5_14
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-1680-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-1678-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive