Nerve terminal effects of indoleamine psychotomimetics on 5-hydroxytryptamine.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews January 1, 1982 A E Halaris 4 citations
Indoleamine psychotomimetics like LSD increase serotonin (5-HT) levels in rat brain nerve endings, particularly in synaptic vesicles, an effect not seen with mescaline. Pretreatment with reserpine shifts the serotonin increase to a juxtavesicular compartment. The serotonin increment originates from newly synthesized amine, as shown by experiments with synthesis blockers. Destruction of raphé cell bodies does not abolish LSD's effect early after lesioning, but destruction of cortical serotonin neurons with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine does, indicating an intact nerve terminal is required. An LSD 'autoreceptor,' possibly a presynaptic serotonin receptor that inhibits release, is postulated.