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Novel Synergistic Treatment of Ethanol Withdrawal Seizures in Rats with Dopamine and Serotonin Agonists
Author(s) -
Mirovsky Yehudith,
Yu Yi Lung,
Wagner George C.,
Sekowski Anna,
Goldberg Melissa,
Fisher Hans
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1995.tb01485.x
Subject(s) - chlordiazepoxide , fenfluramine , serotonergic , dopaminergic , dopamine , amphetamine , serotonin , pharmacology , ethanol , medicine , chemistry , anesthesia , endocrinology , diazepam , receptor , biochemistry
A recent observation in this laboratory of a simultaneous increase in striatal dopamine and a decrease in serotonin in ethanol‐dependent rats during ethanol withdrawal prompted studies with combined dopaminergic + serotoninergic agonists to stop withdrawal seizures. Amphetamine (2 mg/kg) + fenfluramine (8 mg/kg) given jointly, but not separately, prevented ethanol withdrawal seizures as effectively as benzodiazepines (chlordiazepoxide), the current drugs of choice. The combination of amphetamine and fenfluramine, unlike chlordiazepoxide, significantly reduced intake of ethanol during and immediately following ethanol withdrawal.