Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Quantification of Social Behavior in Adult Rats
Published on: December 14, 2014
Effects of acute alcohol intoxication and paroxetine on aggression in men
Michael S McCloskey1, Mitchell E Berman, David J Echevarria
1Pritzker School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA. mmcclosk@yoda.bsd.uchicago.edu
Background:
The purpose of this study was to examine the role of the serotonin (5-HT) system in alcohol-related aggression.
Methods:
Specifically, we experimentally examined the effects of 5-HT augmentation on alcohol-related aggression in men (n = 56). After consuming either alcohol (mean blood alcohol concentration of 0.10%) or a placebo (no alcohol) drink, and taking either 20 mg of paroxetine (Paxil) or a placebo pill, participants were provided the opportunity to administer electric shock to a (faux) opponent during a task disguised as a reaction-time game. Aggression was defined as the intensity of shock chosen and the frequency with which an extreme (clearly painful) shock was chosen. We predicted that 5-HT augmentation would be associated with lower aggressive behavior overall, and also reduce the aggression facilitating effects of acute alcohol intoxication.
Results:
The results indicated that alcohol intoxication increased aggression, particularly under low provocation. Paroxetine decreased aggression, particularly during high provocation. These effects, however, occurred independently of each other.
Conclusions:
The effect of alcohol on extreme aggression was moderated by previous aggression history, with more aggressive individuals showing greater alcohol-related increases in extreme aggression.
Related Concept Videos
Nonlinear Pharmacokinetics: Dependence of Elimination Half-Life and Dose Clearance
A study on guinea pigs examined the...
Aggression
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Panic Disorder

