Intracellular studies on the effects of systemic administration of serotonin agonists on rat facial motoneurons.
European journal of pharmacology – February 26, 1982
Source: PubMed
Summary
Facial motoneurons in anesthetized rats exhibited significant changes when administered 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeODMT) and p-chloroamphetamine (PCA). Specifically, both drugs led to a slow depolarization, with input resistance increasing by approximately 40% and excitability rising notably. These effects mirror those seen with direct serotonin application, suggesting that the alterations in motoneuron activity contribute to the behavioral serotonin syndrome observed. The findings highlight the potential mechanisms behind these drug-induced behaviors.
Abstract
Intracellular recordings were made from facial motoneurons of anesthetized rats during systemic administration of 5-methoxy-N,-N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeODMT) and p-chloroamphetamine (PCA), drugs which elicit the behavioral serotonin syndrome. Both drugs caused a slow depolarization, increased input resistance, and increased excitability of facial motoneurons. These changes are identical to those caused by direct microiontophoretic application of serotonin to these neurons, and probably underlie some of the components of the behavioral serotonin syndrome.