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Serotonin and alcohol: interrelationships.
- Source :
-
Psychopathology [Psychopathology] 1989; Vol. 22 Suppl 1, pp. 37-48. - Publication Year :
- 1989
-
Abstract
- Alcoholism is a multifaceted medicosocial problem. Recent literature discusses a common dyad, alcoholism and anxiety. Both disorders are interdigitated with the brain amine serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT). Direct 5-HT activation reportedly attenuates alcohol consumption, whereas depletion enhances use patterns. Acute alcohol consumption has also been associated with a transient rise, albeit eventual diminished 5-HT turnover. A variety of 5-HT models have confirmed this observation, e.g., reduced platelet 5-HT content, uptake, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. Such altered characteristics of 5-HT secondary to chronic alcohol use may explain the frequent morbidity of anxiety and/or depression. Acute alcohol consumption is also associated with accumulation of the 5-HT aldehyde derivative 5-hydroxymethtryptoline. Thus, alcohol may induce the in vivo formation of aldehydes, e.g., beta-carbolines, that themselves possess high lipophilicity and psychotropic activity. Future investigation into 5-HT-specific pharmacologic probes in alcoholism will be interesting. Preliminary research has consistently demonstrated that 5-HT-enhancing agents (e.g., zimelidine or fluvoxamine) decrease alcohol consumption, preference, and short-term memory decrements. Thus, 5-HT appears to represent at least one common denominator for a spectrum of behavioral disorders including anxiety and alcoholism.
- Subjects :
- Alcohol Drinking drug effects
Animals
Arousal drug effects
Fluvoxamine
Humans
Oximes therapeutic use
Zimeldine therapeutic use
Alcoholism rehabilitation
Anti-Anxiety Agents therapeutic use
Anxiety Disorders drug therapy
Brain drug effects
Receptors, Serotonin drug effects
Serotonin metabolism
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0254-4962
- Volume :
- 22 Suppl 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Psychopathology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 2567040
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1159/000284625