p,p'-DDT-induced neurotoxic syndrome: experimental myoclonus.
p,p'-DDT (100 to 600 mg per kilogram orally) produced spontaneous and stimulus-sensitive myoclonus in mice and rats. Drugs that enhance brain serotonergic activity reduced p,p'-DDT-induced myoclonus, and serotonin antagonists invariably aggravated this syndrome. p,p'-DDT-treated rats had increased concentrations of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in seven regional areas, but serotonin was increased only in the midbrain and cerebellum. We postulate that p,p'-DDT-induced myoclonus may be causally related to blockage of serotonin receptors or inhibition of serotonin release into the synapse, resulting in functional deficiency of this neurotransmiter at the receptor site.
D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002997:Clomipramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003634:DDT; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D007536:Isomerism; D008297:Male; D008784:Methysergide / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism
D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan; D003634:DDT; D002997:Clomipramine; D008784:Methysergide