NeuropharmacologyNov 29, 2019

Anxiety during alcohol withdrawal may involve serotonin receptors and nerve cell channels in the brain's emotional control area

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Updated Apr 5, 2026

Abstract

Intra-LHb infusion of the selective 5-HTR antagonist SB242084 reduced anxiety-like behaviors in Post-EtOH rats.

Chronic alcohol withdrawal in rats is associated with increased anxiety-like behaviors and neuronal hyperexcitability.
Intra-LHb infusion of SB242084 alleviated anxiety-like behaviors and reduced c-Fos expression in the LHb of Post-EtOH rats.
The selective 5-HTR agonist WAY161503 induced anxiety-like behaviors in alcohol-naive rats but not in Post-EtOH rats.
Intra-LHb SB242084 significantly decreased self-administration of alcohol in operant chambers.
Post-EtOH rats exhibited increased levels of 5-HTR proteins and an elevated 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio in the LHb.
SB242084 infusion enhanced KCNQ2/3 membrane protein expression in the LHb of Post-EtOH rats.

Simplified

Anxiety disorders often co-occur with alcohol use disorders, but the mechanisms underlying this comorbidity remain elusive. Previously, we reported that rats withdrawn from chronic alcohol consumption (Post-EtOH rats) exhibited robust anxiety-like behaviors (AB), which were accompanied by neuronal hyperexcitability, and the downregulation of M-type potassium channels (M-channels) in the lateral habenula (LHb); and that serotonin (5-HT) stimulated LHb neurons via type 2C receptors (5-HTRs). Also, 5-HTR activation is known to inhibit M-current in mouse hypothalamic neurons. The present study investigated whether LHb 5-HTRs and M-channels contribute to AB in adult male Long-Evans rats. We used the intermittent-access to 20% ethanol two-bottle free-choice drinking paradigm to induce dependence. We measured AB with the elevated plus-maze, open-field, and marble-burying tests at 24 h withdrawal. We found that intra-LHb infusion of SB242084, a selective 5-HTR antagonist alleviated AB and reduced the elevated c-Fos expression in the LHb of Post-EtOH rats. By contrast, intra-LHb infusion of the selective 5-HTR agonist WAY161503 induced AB and increased c-Fos expression in the LHb in alcohol-naive but not Post-EtOH rats. Also, intra-LHb SB242084 significantly reduced self-administration of alcohol intake in the operant chambers. Furthermore, both 5-HTR protein levels and 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio was increased in the LHb of Post-EtOH rats. Finally, intra-LHb SB242084 increased LHb KCNQ2/3 membrane protein expression in Post-EtOH rats. Collectively, these results suggest that enhanced LHb 5-HTR signaling that interacted with M-channels triggers AB in Post-EtOH rats and that 5-HTRs may be a promising target for treating comorbid anxiety disorders in alcoholics. 2C2C2C2C2C2C2C2C

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Anxiety during alcohol withdrawal may involve serotonin receptors and nerve cell channels in the brain's emotional control area

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