Activity of serotonin-containing neurons in nucleus centralis superior of freely moving cats.
K Rasmussen, J Heym, Barry L. Jacobs
Experimental Neurology February 1, 1984 DOI: 10.1016/S0014-4886(84)90100-6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Freely moving cats |
| Interventions | 5-methoxy-N N-dimethyltryptamine |
| Dose | 50 micrograms/kg, i.m. |
| Topics | Serotonin |
| Citations | 125 |
| Key findings | Serotonergic neurons in the nucleus centralis superior show state-dependent firing that is highest during active waking, lower during slow-wave sleep, and lowest during REM sleep, with a subset responding oppositely to sensory stimuli. |
Abstract
Serotonergic neurons were recorded in the nucleus centralis superior (NCS) in freely moving cats and were initially identified on-line by their slow and regular spontaneous activity (mean 2.55 +/- 0.21 spikes/s). Discharge rates of NCS serotonergic neurons were highest during active waking (AW) (mean 2.94 +/- 0.28 spikes/s), decreased during slow-wave sleep (middle of SWS: mean 1.38 +/- 0.18 spikes/s), and were lowest during REM sleep (mean 0.46 +/- 0.13 spikes/s). The activity of serotonergic NCS neurons did not significantly increase during transient elevations of the EMG during AW but did significantly decrease immediately preceding, and during the occurrence of, SWS spindles. These neurons were responsive to phasic auditory and visual stimuli, with most neurons showing excitatory responses. In response to a small dose of the serotonin-specific agonist 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (50 micrograms/kg, i.m.), NCS serotonergic neurons responded with a mean decrease in unit activity of 43.9 +/- 6.1%. Among the NCS serotonergic neurons a subpopulation differed from the remaining serotonergic neurons in that they showed a much smaller decrease in unit activity across the sleep-wake cycle and responded with an inhibition of activity to phasic auditory and visual stimuli. The results of this study are compared with those previously reported for serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus, nucleus raphe pallidus, and nucleus raphe magnus of freely moving cats.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on serotonin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelic effects of psilocybin correlate with serotonin 2A receptor occupancy and plasma psilocin levels Healthy volunteers | 2019 | Observational cohort | n = 8 |
| Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Abstinent MDMA users | 1998 | Observational cohort | |
| Dynamic coupling of whole-brain neuronal and neurotransmitter systems Healthy humans | 2020 | Observational study | |
| The Serotonin System and Spiritual Experiences Normal male subjects, ages 20-45 years | 2003 | Observational cohort | n = 15 |
| Whole-Brain Multimodal Neuroimaging Model Using Serotonin Receptor Maps Explains Non-linear Functional Effects of LSD. Healthy human participants | 2018 | Observational study with computational modeling |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- A narrative synthesis of research with 5-MeO-DMT. Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2022
- Neurophysiological support of consciousness during waking and sleep. Progress in Neurobiology December 1999
- Effect of hallucinogens on spontaneous and sensory-evoked locus coeruleus unit activity in the rat: reversal by selective 5-HT2 antagonists. Brain Research October 1, 1986