Serotonin in animal models of alcoholism.

Ethanol naive alcohol preferring rodents have low serotonin transmission. Both pharmacological, biochemical and behavioral studies show that increased serotonin transmission influence reduces ethanol consumption in animals. This paper develops the role of serotonin in different lines of ethanol preferring rats and mice, and shows a regulation of 5-HT1A receptors in alcoholised dependent mice. Different sensitivities to ethanol observed between ethanol-preferring and non-preferring rats or mice seems to be at the root of the maintenance of alcohol intake.