Suppressing Effect of Baclofen on Multiple Alcohol-Related Behaviors in Laboratory Animals

Abstract

This paper summarizes the several lines of experimental evidence demonstrating the ability of the prototypic GABA_B receptor agonist, baclofen, to suppress multiple alcohol-related behaviors in laboratory rodents and non-human primates exposed to validated experimental models of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Specifically, treatment with baclofen has repeatedly been reported to suppress alcohol-induced locomotor stimulation, alcohol drinking (including binge- and relapse-like drinking), operant oral alcohol self-administration, alcohol seeking, and reinstatement of alcohol seeking in rats and mice. Treatment with baclofen also reduced operant oral alcohol self-administration in baboons. Several of these effects appear to be mediated by GABA_B receptors located in the ventral tegmental area. The often observed co-occurrence of "desired" pharmacological effects and "unwanted" sedative effects represents the major drawback of the preclinical, anti-alcohol profile of baclofen. Collectively, these data underline the role of the GABA_B receptor in the mediation of several alcohol-related behaviors. These data possess remarkable translational value, as most of the above effects of baclofen have ultimately been reproduced in AUD patients.

Keywords: GABAB receptor; alcohol drinking and seeking; animal models of alcohol use disorder; baclofen; reinstatement of alcohol seeking.