SSRI TREATMENT DECREASES PROLACTIN AND HYPERTHERMIC RESPONSES TO MCPP

We studied the effect of 3 weeks treatment with the selective serotoni n re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI), paroxetine (30 mg daily), on the neuroen docrine and hyperthermic responses to the 5-HT2C receptor agonist, m-c hlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) (0.05 mg/kg IV), in seven healthy volunte ers. Following paroxetine treatment, both the prolactin and hypertherm ic responses to mCPP were significantly attenuated. These data are con sistent with experimental animal studies indicating that repeated SSRI treatment leads to a functional desensitisation of 5-HT2C receptors. This effect may be linked to the anxiolytic properties of SSRIs.