Ivermectin reduces alcohol intake and preference in mice

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Addiction Research

Background:

• High rates of therapeutic failure in alcohol use disorder (AUD) management necessitate novel interventions.
• Ivermectin (IVM), an antiparasitic drug, was previously found to antagonize ethanol's effects on P2X4 receptors.
• This interaction suggested a potential role for IVM in reducing alcohol consumption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of ivermectin (IVM) in reducing alcohol intake.
• To evaluate IVM's effects across various alcohol self-administration models in mice.
• To determine the dose-dependency and temporal profile of IVM's effects on alcohol consumption.

Main Methods:

• Male and female C57BL/6 mice were used in several alcohol self-administration paradigms.
• Ivermectin (1.25-10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) was administered.
• Alcohol consumption, binge drinking, and operant self-administration of alcohol and sucrose were measured.

Main Results:

• Ivermectin significantly reduced 24-h alcohol consumption and binge drinking.
• Operant alcohol self-administration was dose-dependently reduced by IVM.
• IVM also reduced saccharin consumption but not sucrose self-administration, indicating some specificity.

Conclusions:

• Ivermectin effectively reduces alcohol intake in multiple preclinical models of alcohol consumption.
• The findings support the potential of ivermectin as a novel therapeutic agent for alcohol use disorders.
• Further research into IVM's mechanisms and clinical efficacy for AUDs is warranted.