Commentary: Targeting NMDA Receptor and Serotonin Transporter for the Treatment of Comorbid Alcohol Dependence and Depression

Abstract

This commentary addresses some of the important outcomes of the published study by Ho and colleagues, titled “Combined effects of acamprosate and escitalopram on ethanol consumption in mice”, published in Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2016 Jul;40(7):1531–1539. Ho and colleagues reported that the combination of acamprosate and escitalopram was able to reduce ethanol intake in both stressed and non-stressed mice during treatment. However, escitalopram alone reduced ethanol intake only in non-stressed mice. Acamprosate treatment did not induce any changes in ethanol intake. This commentary addresses the important roles of glutamatergic and serotonergic systems in ethanol intake and dependence. The differential effects of combined drugs or a drug administered alone on ethanol intake have been addressed with a focus on stressed versus non-stressed mice exposed to two-bottle choice limited-access drinking of 15% ethanol and tap water. The interactive role of glutamate and serotonin in ethanol intake is also discussed in this commentary.