V1b Receptor Antagonist SSR149415 and Naltrexone Synergistically Decrease Excessive Alcohol Drinking in Male and Female Mice

Background A recent clinical trial found that pharmacological blockade of V1b receptors reduces alcohol relapse in alcohol-dependent patients. SSR149415 is a selective V1b receptor antagonist that has potential for development as an alcohol dependency treatment. In this study, we investigated whether SSR149415 alone or in combination with the mu-opioid receptor [MOP-r] antagonist naltrexone (NTN) would alter excessive alcohol drinking in mice.