Role of the 5-HT₂A receptor in the locomotor hyperactivity produced by phenylalkylamine hallucinogens in mice.

Abstract

The 5-HT₂A receptor mediates the effects of serotonergic hallucinogens and may play a role in the pathophysiology of certain psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. Given these findings, there is a need for animal models to assess the behavioral effects of 5-HT₂A receptor activation. Our previous studies demonstrated that the phenylalkylamine hallucinogen and 5-HT₂A/₂C agonist 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) produces dose-dependent effects on locomotor activity in C57BL/6J mice, increasing activity at low to moderate doses and reducing activity at high doses. DOI did not increase locomotor activity in 5-HT₂A knockout mice, indicating the effect is a consequence of 5-HT₂A receptor activation. Here, we tested a series of phenylalkylamine hallucinogens in C57BL/6J mice using the Behavioral Pattern Monitor (BPM) to determine whether these compounds increase locomotor activity by activating the 5-HT₂A receptor. Low doses of mescaline, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethylamphetamine (DOET), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-propylamphetamine (DOPR), 2,4,5-trimethoxyamphetamine (TMA-2), and the conformationally restricted phenethylamine (4-bromo-3,6-dimethoxybenzocyclobuten-1-yl)methylamine (TCB-2) increased locomotor activity. By contrast, the non-hallucinogenic phenylalkylamine 2,5-dimethoxy-4-tert-butylamphetamine (DOTB) did not alter locomotor activity at any dose tested (0.1-10 mg/kg i.p.). The selective 5-HT₂A antagonist M100907 blocked the locomotor hyperactivity induced by mescaline and TCB-2. Similarly, mescaline and TCB-2 did not increase locomotor activity in 5-HT₂A knockout mice. These results confirm that phenylalkylamine hallucinogens increase locomotor activity in mice and demonstrate that this effect is mediated by 5-HT₂A receptor activation. Thus, locomotor hyperactivity in mice can be used to assess phenylalkylamines for 5-HT₂A agonist activity and hallucinogen-like behavioral effects. These studies provide additional support for the link between 5-HT₂A activation and hallucinogenesis.

• Authors: Adam L Halberstadt, Susan B Powell, Mark A Geyer
• Journal: Neuropharmacology (Neuropharmacology) Vol. 70 Pg. 218-27 (Jul 2013) ISSN: 1873-7064 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23376711 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Aniline Compounds
• Fluorobenzenes
• Hallucinogens
• Piperidines
• Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A
• Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists
• Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists
• volinanserin

Topics

• Aniline Compounds (antagonists & inhibitors, pharmacology)
• Animals
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Interactions
• Fluorobenzenes (pharmacology)
• Hallucinogens (antagonists & inhibitors, pharmacology)
• Hyperkinesis (chemically induced, physiopathology)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Knockout
• Piperidines (pharmacology)
• Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A (genetics, physiology)
• Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists (pharmacology)
• Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists (pharmacology)