Effect of Drugs on Amino Acid Levels in Brain: Excitants and Depressants
Experimental Biology and Medicine – April 01, 1961
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Electroshock and various chemical agents significantly influenced brain chemistry in rats. Notably, convulsants like pentylenetetrazole and strychnine increased free alanine levels, while semicarbazide reduced GABA to 60% of control levels. In contrast, tranquilizers chlorpromazine and methoxypromazine elevated glutamine levels. A total of 18 agents were analyzed, including amphetamine and mescaline, highlighting the intricate interplay between neurotransmitter receptors and behavior. These findings contribute valuable insights into neuropharmacology and the effects of chemical substances on brain function.
Abstract
1. Effect of electroshock and 18 chemical agents (pentylenetetrazole, semicarbazide, strychnine, picrotoxin, caffeine, pheniprazine, amphetamine, mescaline, LSD, phenobarbital, chloral hydrate, acetazolamide, diphenylhydantoin, meprobamate, chlorpromazine, methoxypromazine, reserpine and morphine) was determined on the level of 10 ninhydrin-reacting compounds in the rat brain (glutathione, phosphoethanolamine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, GABA, glutamine, glycine + serine, alanine, taurine and ethanolamine). 2. The convulsant agents, pentylenetetrazole, semicarbazide, strychnine, picrotoxin and electroshock as well as the excitants, pheniprazine, amphetamine and mescaline, brought about significant rises in free alanine in the brain. Lowering of the GABA levels to 60% of that of the controls was brought about by semicarbazide but not by any of the other convulsant agents. 3. Two phenothiazine tranquilizers chlorpromazine and methoxypromazine, brought about a significant rise in level of brain glutamine.