Vortioxetine treatment decreases cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization in rats

Vortioxetine is a serotoninergic multi-target antidepressant, approved to treat major depressive disorder, and carries out its behavioral, pharmacological, and physiological effects through the blocking of serotonin 5-HT_1D, 5-HT₃, and 5-HT₇ receptors and by activating 5-HT_1A receptors. Some studies report that the simultaneous activation of the 5-HT_1A serotonin receptors or blockade of 5-HT₃ serotonin receptors decreased cocaine-induced locomotor activity and cocaine self-administration. Recent studies showed that vortioxetine decreased alcohol consumption. This studio aimed to evaluate the effects of vortioxetine dosing on cocaine-induced behavioral (cocaine-induced locomotor activity and cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization) and neurochemical (dopamine levels) effects. Male Wistar rats received cocaine during the induction and expression of locomotor sensitization. Vortioxetine was administered 30 min before cocaine. After each treatment, the locomotor activity was recorded for 30 min. Dopamine levels were determined in the ventral striatum, the prefrontal cortex (PFC), and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) by high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) in animals treated with vortioxetine and cocaine. In this study, we found that vortioxetine decreased cocaine-induced locomotor activity, as well as the induction and expression of locomotor sensitization. As well as the amount of cocaine-induced dopamine decreased. Vortioxetine can be a useful therapeutic agent to reduce cocaine abuse.