A study of the role of noradrenaline in behavioural changes produced in the rat by psychotomimetic drugs
British Journal of Pharmacology – February 01, 1969
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Psilocybin and other hallucinogens profoundly affect brain chemistry and behavior. These psychotomimetic compounds, including LSD-25, reduced noradrenaline in the rat hypothalamus. They retarded an avoidance response, while JB-329 enhanced it. Behavioral effects peaked around 1.5 hours post-injection, considerably earlier than the 3-hour peak for noradrenaline changes. Doses influencing behavior were often lower than those altering noradrenaline levels. Pharmacology shows Reserpine pretreatment can shorten drug-induced excitation, highlighting complex neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, crucial for Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
LSD‐25, psilocybin and JB‐329 reduced the noradrenaline content of the rat hypothalamus. All three drugs affected the acquisition of a conditioned avoidance response, LSD‐25 and psilocybin retarding and JB‐329 enhancing the acquisition. With the exception of JB‐329, doses affecting the acquisition of a conditioned avoidance response were lower than those required to decide hypothalamic noradrenaline concentrations. The time of peak drug effect on the acquisition of a conditioned avoidance response occurred approximately 1.5 hr after injection as opposed to 3 hr in the case of noradrenaline content. The amount of LSD‐25, psilocybin and JB‐329 necessary to elicit gross behavioural excitation was similar to the dose producing noradrenaline depletion. Here also the peak behavioural effect was detected earlier. Pretreatment with reserpine and α‐MT had no effect on the intensity of gross behavioural excitation induced by LSD‐25 and psilocybin but shortened the duration of the response. The excitation induced by JB‐329 was abolished by reserpine pretreatment and was markedly reduced both in intensity and duration by the prior injection of α‐MT.