Biogenic amines and head twitches in mice during ethanol withdrawal

After chronic administration of ethanol to mice by the intragastric route head twitches occur as part of the ethanol withdrawal syndrome. Treatments which reduce brain 5-hydroxytryptamine or increase brain noradrenaline inhibited ethanol withdrawal head twitches, whereas treatments which increase brain 5-hydroxytryptamine or reduce brain noradrenaline were capable of inducing head twitches in control animals.