SEROTONIN-STIMULATED INTRACELLULAR CALCIUM MOBILIZATION IN PLATELETS FROM ALCOHOLIC MEN

Numerous lines of evidence have suggested a key role for serotonin (5- hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) pathways in the regulation of alcohol consumpt ion. To explore the functioning of the 5HT(2) receptor in alcoholism, 5HT-stimulated intracellular calcium response was measured in platelet s from abstinent alcoholic patients and normal comparison subjects, No difference in resting or stimulated calcium levels was observed. This finding suggests that 5HT(2) receptor function is unaffected in non-d rinking alcoholic subjects. The previously reported 5HT inhibition in actively drinking alcoholic subjects is likely to be a state rather th an trait marker of alcoholism.