title: The guinea pig myoclonic model: behavioral supersensitivity to 5-hydroxytryptophan induced by intracisternal 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine.
abstract: To study the species difference of guinea pigs and rats in response to 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), we injected both animals intracisternally with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine. In rats with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine lesions, 5-HTP evoked the well described myoclonic-serotonergic syndrome. In the guinea pig, 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine lesions significantly increased the severity of myoclonic response to 5-HTP (150 mg/kg) compared to vehicle controls, resulting in lethal convulsions. Guinea pigs treated with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine did not develop spontaneous myoclonus, or when treated with 5-HTP, other 'serotonergic behaviors' such as lateral head weaving, hindlimb abduction, and forepaw tapping. Guinea pigs tolerated intracisternal 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine less well than rats, with a higher mortality, although immediate post-injection convulsions were less severe and did not require phenobarbital prophylaxis. Staged lower doses of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (100-200 micrograms) were better tolerated than a single high dose of neurotoxin (400 micrograms). The regional profile of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine lesions in the guinea pig resembled that of the rat, with maximal depletion of 5-HT in spinal cord and selected forebrain structures, and little effect in diencephalon and midbrain. Depletions in the guinea pig were less selective for 5-HT using desipramine pretreatment than in the rat. In naive guinea pigs and rats, regional content of 5-HT was similar. These data suggest that the functional integrity of serotonergic neurons is not requisite for the expression of myoclonus induced by 5-HTP in the guinea pig. 5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine lesions in the guinea pig resulted in behavioral and neurochemical similarities and differences in comparison with the rat.
mesh_terms: D015116:5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002946:Cisterna Magna; D004102:Dihydroxytryptamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007267:Injections; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D004102:Dihydroxytryptamines; D015116:5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan