Effects of chlorimipramine and lysergic acid diethylamide on efflux of precursor-formed 3-H-serotonin: correlations with serotonergic impulse flow.
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics June 1, 1975 D. Gallager, G. Aghajanian 83 citations
LSD and the antidepressant chlorimipramine (CIMI) both inhibit the firing of serotonin-producing neurons in the brain, but they affect serotonin release differently. LSD reduces serotonin efflux at doses that also inhibit neuronal firing. A low dose of CIMI inhibits firing without reducing serotonin efflux, suggesting that blocked reuptake compensates for reduced release. A high dose of CIMI actually increases serotonin efflux. The findings indicate that LSD decreases serotonin release by directly inhibiting impulse flow or acting on nerve terminals, while CIMI's net effect on serotonin depends on dose and the balance between reuptake blockade and impulse-dependent release.