Antagonism of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine-induced changes in postdecapitation convulsions in rats by repeated treatment with drugs enhancing 5-hydroxytryptamine neurotransmission.

Repeated administration of drugs that increase tryptaminergic neurotransmission blocked the effects of an acute injection of 5-MeODMT on postdecapitation convulsions in rats. Zimelidine, fluoxetine, amiflamine, and alpha-ethyltryptamine given orally over 10 days substantially blocked the increase in latency and duration of convulsions caused by 5-MeODMT, while alaproclate, clorgyline, and pargyline caused a lesser blockade. Repeated 5-MeODMT administration completely blocked the acute effects. These findings suggest down-regulation of serotonin receptors mediating the convulsion response and offer a simple model for studying receptor sensitivity changes at the spinal level.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Repeated administration of drugs that increase tryptaminergic neurotransmission antagonized the increase in latency to onset and the duration of postdecapitation convulsions (PDCs) induced by an acute 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeODMT) injection; Zimelidine (2 X 5 mg kg-1), fluoxetine (2 X 5 mg kg-1), amiflamine (2 X 2.5 mg kg-1) and alpha-ethyltryptamine (2 X 2.5 mg kg-1) administered orally over 10 days caused a substantial blockade of the increase in latency to onset and duration of PDCs following 5-MeODMT, whereas alaproclate (2 X 5 mg kg-1), clorgyline (1 X 1 mg kg-1) and pargyline (2 X 2.5 mg kg-1) caused a lesser blockade. Repeated 5-MeODMT (3 X 2 mg kg-1) administration blocked the acute effects of 5-MeODMT (2 and 4 mg kg-1) upon PDCs completely. These findings indicate down-regulation of the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors which mediate the action of 5-MeODMT on the PDCs and offer a simple model system for studying 5-HT receptor sensitivity changes at the spinal level.