Preclinical evidence in support of 5-HT1B receptor agonist treatment of cocaine use disorders

Abstract:  Initial investigation of the effects of 5-HT1B receptor agonist effects on cocaine self-administration in rats suggested that these drugs enhance the reinforcing value of cocaine and would be counter-indicated for treatment of cocaine use disorders. However, our research has shown that there is a flip in 5-HT1B receptor agonist effects after a period of forced abstinence in male rats such that these drugs decrease cocaine self-administration and cocaine-seeking behavior. The implications of this line of research for repurposing of 5-HT1B receptor agonists for treatment of cocaine use disorders will be discussed.