Studies on the specificity of neurochemical and behavioral effects of LSD-25.
S B Sparber, L P Dwoskin, M S Kleven
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior February 1986 DOI: 10.1016/0091-3057(86)90363-1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Preclinical animal experiment Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Conscious rats engaged in operant behavior |
| Interventions | Fluoxetine LSD 5-HTP methysergide mianserin |
| Topics | LSD |
| Key findings | The authors argue there is probably more than one functional pool of CNS serotonin, with the LSD-sensitive pool newly synthesized and representing only a small fraction of total serotonin. Methysergide blocked LSD-induced pausing but not the decreased responding rate, whereas mianserin blocked both. They propose low-dose LSD effects reflect sympathetic arousal and may model agitated depression or anxiety. |
Abstract
Brain perfusion experiments of conscious rats engaged in operant behavior and administered fluoxetine or LSD, with or without prior injection of 5-HTP, indicate there is probably more than one functional pool of 5-HT in the CNS. Furthermore, the fact that prior loading with the precursor is necessary before unmasking an effect of LSD suggests the LSD-sensitive pool is newly synthesized and represents only a small fraction of total CNS serotonin. Separating the effects of LSD's behavioral action into pausing (disruption) and depressed responding rate, with or without pausing, enabled us to demonstrate blockade of the disruption by methysergide without blockade of the decreased responding rate. Mianserin blocks both effects of LSD's action. We suggest that behavioral effects of low doses of LSD are due to sympathetic arousal and may offer a model for agitated depression and/or anxiety and that drugs of the mianserin-type may prove useful for treating some forms of anxiety, as well as depression.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on LSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- Effects of chlorimipramine and lysergic acid diethylamide on efflux of precursor-formed 3-H-serotonin: correlations with serotonergic impulse flow. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics June 1, 1975
- Neurotransmitter basis of the behavioral effects of hallucinogens. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 1982
- Effects of LSD-25 on brain serotonin. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics November 1, 1961