title: Serotonergic mediation of cocaine seizures in mice.
abstract: We used genetically heterogeneous HS mice to investigate the effects of drugs that alter brain concentrations of serotonin on cocaine-induced convulsions and lethality. The racemer of fenfluramine, which increases synaptic serotonin, was coadministered with a dose (60 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) of cocaine that does not produce status epilepticus or death. This drug combination significantly increased the occurrence and decreased the time of onset of status epilepticus, but did not affect lethality. Likewise, 2.5 mg/kg of the D-isomer, of fenfluramine increased the occurrence of status epilepticus. Neither isomer effected lethality. When 2.5 mg/kg cinanserin, a drug that antagonizes postsynaptic serotonergic receptors, was coadministered with a higher (95 mg/kg) dose of cocaine, the time of onset of status epilepticus was significantly increased, whereas lethality was reduced. The results are discussed in light of the action of cocaine upon serotonin neurons and the relationship between seizurogenic activity and cocaine-induced lethality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Northeastern Ohio Universities, College of Medicine, Rootstown 44272, USA.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Schechter
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Meehan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D002928:Cinanserin / Q000494:pharmacology; D003042:Cocaine / Q000633:toxicity*; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D005277:Fenfluramine; D012701:Serotonin; D003042:Cocaine; D002928:Cinanserin