Ability of Baclofen in Reducing Alcohol Intake and Withdrawal Severity: I—Preclinical Evidence

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2000.tb04554.x
• Publication Date: 2006-05-30T13:40:13Z
• Authors: Giancarlo Colombo; Roberta Agabio; Mauro A.M. Carai; Carla Lobina; Marialaura Pani; Roberta Reali; Giovanni Addolorato; Gian Luigi Gessa
• Keywords: Baclofen; Self-administration; Regimen

The similarities between the pharmacological effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor agonist, baclofen, and alcohol-substituting agent, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, led us to investigate whether baclofen was capable reducing (a) ethanol withdrawal syndrome in ethanol-dependent rats (b) voluntary intake ethanol-preferring rats.In experiment 1, Wistar were rendered physically dependent on by repeated administration intoxicating doses for 6 consecutive days. Baclofen acutely administered intraperitoneally at 10, 20, 40 mg/kg. In 2, (0, 2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) once a day 14 days sP that had continuous access (10%, v/v) water under two-bottle free choice regimen.In dose-dependently decreased intensity signs; furthermore, 20 mg/kg protected from audiogenic seizures ethanol-withdrawn rats. selectively reduced intake; compensatory increase left total fluid virtually unchanged.These results are close agreement with those preliminary clinical study suggest may constitute novel therapeutic agent alcoholism.