Effects of m-chlorophenylpiperazine in normal subjects: a dose-response study.
m-Chlorophenylpiperazine (MCPP), a direct 5HT receptor agonist, was administered orally to 20 normal subjects in two doses (0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg) in a placebo-controlled design. Behavioral responses; ACTH, cortisol, prolactin and MCPP blood level; temperature and pulse rate were measured over a 210-min period after administration of tablets. Non-linear dose-response relationships between MCPP and ACTH, cortisol and prolactin response were found. On the higher dose, a significant increase in the number of physical symptoms was also noted and three subjects (15%) had a panic attack, while one subject (5%) had a panic attack on the lower dose. No effects on other behavioral variables, pulse rate and temperature were found using either dose. These findings attest to the usefulness of MCPP as a challenge agent to assess 5HT receptor hypersensitivity when given at a low oral dose (i.e. around 0.25 mg/kg), and to assess 5HT receptor hyposensitivity when given at higher oral doses (i.e. around 0.5 mg/kg).
Kahn
R S
RS
Department of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, NY 10467.
Wetzler
S
S
Asnis
G M
GM
Kling
M A
MA
Suckow
R F
RF
van Praag
H M
HM
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010200:Panic / Q000187:drug effects; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011674:Pulse / Q000187:drug effects
D010879:Piperazines; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; C015068:1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine; D006854:Hydrocortisone