title: Attenuation of the effects of ethanol on social behavior by alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists.
abstract: In a social behavior test in mice ethanol (2 g/kg) significantly reduces the time spent in social interaction and increases locomotor activity. The relatively selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists atipamezole and idazoxan alone have no significant effect on either social interaction or locomotor activity in this test. However, when coadministered with 2 g/kg ethanol, atipamezole (0.3-3.0 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the ethanol-induced reduction in the time spent in social interaction without any effect on ethanol's locomotor stimulant action. Idazoxan (0.3-1.0 mg/kg) also showed a trend towards reversing the reduction in the time spent in social interaction although this was accompanied by a significant attenuation of the locomotor stimulant effect of ethanol. The results indicate that alpha 2-adrenoceptors may modulate ethanol's effects on social interaction in mice.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD 20892.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Durcan
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Hilakivi
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Lister
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Linnoila
mesh_terms: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004146:Dioxanes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004147:Dioxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019329:Idazoxan; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D012919:Social Behavior
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D004146:Dioxanes; D004147:Dioxins; D007093:Imidazoles; C050701:atipamezole; D000431:Ethanol; D019329:Idazoxan