Role of serotonin in the nicotine-induced depression of the brainstem auditory evoked response.
We have examined the role of serotonergic and/or dopaminergic mechanism in the mediation of the nicotine-induced depression of brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAER) to auditory stimuli. Nicotine produced dose- and time-dependent decreases in BAER amplitude. Administration of serotonin-depleting drugs (reserpine or p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), prevented this decrease. Administration of catecholamine-depleting drugs (alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, disulfiram or Dopa), on the other hand, had no effect. These data thus suggest a role for serotonergic mechanisms in the mediation of nicotine-induced depression of the brainstem auditory pathway.
D000818:Animals; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000187:drug effects*; D010134:Fenclonine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008781:Methyltyrosines / Q000494:pharmacology; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012110:Reserpine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D019805:alpha-Methyltyrosine
D008781:Methyltyrosines; D012701:Serotonin; D019805:alpha-Methyltyrosine; D009538:Nicotine; D012110:Reserpine; D010134:Fenclonine; D004298:Dopamine