ALCOHOL INTAKE AFTER SEROTONIN TRANSPORTER INACTIVATION IN MICE

Abstract

Knock-out mice lacking the serotonin transporter [5-hydroxytryptamine transporter (5-HTT)] were used to assess the influence of 5-HT re-uptake on ethanol consumption. Under a free-choice paradigm, alcohol intake was lower in mutant than in wild-type mice, and pharmacological blockade of 5-HTT by fluoxetine reduced alcohol intake in wild-type mice only. These data confirm the inhibitory effect of 5-HTT inactivation on ethanol intake.