Possible serotonin-agonist action of veratramine.

Abstract

Veratramine produces a characteristic excitatory action on the central nervous system, producing both tremor and a characteristic "struggling" behavior. This behavioral excitation is accompanied by changes in serotonin content in hypothalamus. The central serotonin agonist methysergide in doses of 5--15 mg per kg produces a dose-dependent inhibition of veratramine's action, while parachlorophenylalanine has no effect. These results are consistent with a serotonin agonist mechanism to explain veratramine's action.

• Authors: K Izumi, R F Butterworth, G Tunnicliff, M Gonce, A Barbeau
• Journal: Brain research bulletin (Brain Res Bull) 1978 May-Jun Vol. 3 Issue 3 Pg. 237-10 ISSN: 0361-9230 [Print] United States
• PMID: 213177 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Receptors, Serotonin
• Veratrum Alkaloids
• Serotonin
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
• Glutamate Decarboxylase
• Methysergide

Topics

• Animals
• Behavior, Animal (drug effects)
• Brain (enzymology)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Glutamate Decarboxylase (metabolism)
• Male
• Methysergide (pharmacology)
• Mice
• Motor Activity (drug effects)
• Receptors, Serotonin (drug effects)
• Serotonin (metabolism)
• Synaptic Transmission (drug effects)
• Veratrum Alkaloids (pharmacology)
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (metabolism)