Treatment with sertraline, a new serotonin uptake inhibitor, reduces voluntary ethanol consumption in rats

Serotonin uptake blockers have been shown to produce a robust and reliable reduction in voluntary ethanol consumption in rats. These compounds are currently under investigation as potential treatments for alcohol abuse in humans. It is uncertain whether serotonin uptake blockers exert their effects directly through serotonergic mechanisms or whether an interaction between the serotonin and noradrenergic systems is involved. The present series of experiments was designed to examine the effects of sertraline, a new selective serotonin uptake blocker, on voluntary ethanol intake. Sertraline produced a robust reduction in voluntary ethanol intake. It appears therefore, that increasing selectivity for serotonin blockade does not alter the efficacy of these compounds as antialcohol agents. The drug also reduced the consumption of a saccharin solution indicating that sertraline's effects are not specific to ethanol intake.