Evidence for a central 5‐hydroxytryptamine receptor stimulation by lysergic acid diethylamide
British Journal of Pharmacology – September 01, 1968
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
LSD significantly stimulates central 5-HT receptors, producing effects similar to the 5-HT precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan in rat spinal cord and brain. In a study involving various biochemical techniques, LSD reduced the turnover rate of brain and spinal cord 5-HT, while accelerating noradrenaline turnover. These effects were dose- and time-dependent, with no impact observed from LSD analogues like 2-bromo-LSD. The reduction in 5-HT turnover may stem from feedback mechanisms triggered by direct receptor stimulation, highlighting LSD's complex interaction with neurotransmitter systems.
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and the 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) precursor, 5‐hydroxytryptophan produced similar functional effects in rat spinal cord and brain to the 5‐hydroxytryptamine precursor 5‐hydroxytryptophan, which indicates that LSD stimulates central 5‐HT receptors. By means of combined histochemical and biochemical techniques it was found that LSD reduced the turnover rate of brain and spinal cord 5‐HT, studied after inhibition of the tryptophan hydroxylase by α‐propyldopacet‐amide. The turnover of brain noradrenaline but not dopamine was somewhat accelerated. The functional and chemical effects by LSD were related to dose and to time. They were not observed after the LSD analogues 2‐bromo‐LSD and methysergide. The retardation of the 5‐HT turnover by LSD may be due to negative feed‐back mechanisms evoked by direct stimulation of the central 5‐HT receptors.