title: Serotonergic function in mouse head twitches induced by lithium and reserpine.
abstract: We examined the relationship between lithium-induced head twitches and serotonergic neurons. Head twitches were elicited by combined treatment with lithium chloride (2 or 5 mEq/kg x 5, s.c. administered hourly) and rauwolfia alkaloids, i.e., reserpine (5 mg/kg, s.c.), tetrabenazine (20 mg/kg, s.c.), and syrosingopine (10 mg/kg, s.c.). Neither lithium nor the alkaloid alone induced the twitches; nor did combined administration of lithium with methamphetamine or p-chloroamphetamine. The head twitches induced by lithium in combination with reserpine were strongly inhibited by antiserotonin drugs, methysergide and cyproheptadine, and also by a serotonin synthesis inhibitor, p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), when administered between lithium and reserpine. When PCPA was administered before lithium for 3 days, the head twitches were potentiated. In addition, the head twitches were potentiated by a serotonin receptor stimulant, 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine. The results imply that lithium can induce head twitches in the presence of rauwolfia alkaloids and may exert its effect in part by acting on the serotonergic neuron system.
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001679:Biogenic Amines / Q000378:metabolism; D004347:Drug Interactions; D008094:Lithium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000187:drug effects; D012110:Reserpine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001679:Biogenic Amines; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D012701:Serotonin; D012110:Reserpine; D008094:Lithium; D000109:Acetylcholine