The α(2)-adrenoceptor antagonists
idazoxan and RX811059 induced reciprocal forepaw treading, a component of the 5-HT-behavioural syndrome in rats. This response is independent of 'non-α(2)-adrenoceptor
idazoxan binding sites' (NAIBS) at which RX811059 is inactive.
Idazoxan pre-treatment, in rats, enhanced forepaw treading, head weaving and
tremor induced by the
5-HT agonist 5-methoxy-N,N
dimethyltryptamine (5-MeODMT), increased head twitches (but decreased hindlimb abduction) induced by the
5-HT releaser
p- chloroamphetamine (pCA), but did not clearly alter head twitches induced by the
5-HT precursor L-5-hydroxytryptophan in mice. The α(1)-antagonist
prazosin did not alter behaviour induced by either 5-MeODMT or pCA in rats. The α( 2)-agonist,
guanoxabenz, did not alter 5-MeODMT-induced behaviour in rats. St587, an α(1)-agonist, selectively potentiated
tremor induced by 5-MeODMT, but no other behaviour. A possible mechanism for these interactions could be through enhanced, α(2)-adrenoceptor-mediated,
5-HT release in specific brain areas. Other possibilities, e.g. direct action at subtypes of
5-HT receptors and the importance of these NA-5-HT interactions in the treatment of resistant depression, are discussed.