Effect of Hallucinogens on Unconditioned Behavior
Current topics in behavioral neurosciences January 1, 2016 A Geyer, Mark, L Halberstadt, Adam 104 citations
Much of what is known about hallucinogen psychopharmacology comes from animal models due to ethical and regulatory constraints on human studies. This chapter reviews three rodent behavioral models: head twitch response (HTR), prepulse inhibition of startle (PPI), and exploratory behavior. HTR is useful for studying neurochemical actions, while PPI and exploratory behavior have clearer links to human experiences. Hallucinogen effects in rodents are primarily mediated by 5-HT2A receptor activation, matching the human mechanism, though other receptors may play secondary roles. Structure-activity relationships are reviewed for each model, focusing on HTR in rats and mice.