Citalopram reduces social interaction in rats by activation of serotonin (5-HT) 2C receptors

Abstract

The selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), citalopram (2.5 mg/kg, s.c.), reduced social interaction (SI) in rats. This action was abolished by the 5-HT 2B/2C receptor antagonist, SB206,553 (0.63 mg/kg, s.c.), and the 5-HT 2C receptor antagonist, SB242,084 (0.04 mg/kg, i.p.), but not by the 5-HT 2A antagonist, MDL100,907 (0.04 mg/kg, s.c.), the 5-HT 1A antagonist, WAY100,635 (0.16 mg/kg, s.c.), or the 5-HT 3 antagonist, ondansetron (0.16 mg/kg, s.c.). These data suggest that 5-HT 2C receptors are involved in the “anxiogenic” actions of citalopram.