5-HT-dependent myoclonus in guinea pigs: mediation through 5-HT1A-5-HT2 receptor interaction

The role of different serotonin receptor subtypes in seizure susceptibility

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) has the most diverse set of receptors in comparison with any other neurotransmitter or hormone in the body. To date, seven families of 5-HT receptors have been characterized. A great number of studies have been published regarding the role of 5-HT and its receptors in seizures. However, with a few exceptions, the net effect of activating or inhibiting each 5-HT receptor subtype on the development or severity of seizures remains controversial. Additionally, the results of studies, which have used knockout animals to investigate the role of 5-HT receptors in seizures, have sometimes been contradictory to those which have used pharmacological tools. The present study aims to review the available data regarding the influence of each receptor subtype on seizure development and, when possible, reconcile between the apparently different results obtained in these studies.

Desensitization of 5-HT1A receptors by 5-HT2A receptors in neuroendocrine neurons in vivo

An imbalance between serotonin-2A (5-HT2A) and 5-HT1A receptors may underlie several mood disorders. The present studies determined whether 5-HT2A receptors interact with 5-HT1A receptors in the rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). The sensitivity of the hypothalamic 5-HT1A receptors was measured as oxytocin and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) responses to the 5-HT1A receptor agonist (+)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin hydrobromide [(+)8-OH-DPAT] (40 microg/kg s.c.). The 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor agonist (-)DOI [(-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)2-aminopropane HCl] (1 mg/kg s.c.) injected 2 h prior to (+)8-OH-DPAT significantly reduced the oxytocin and ACTH responses to (+)8-OH-DPAT, producing a heterologous desensitization of the 5-HT1A receptors. Microinjection of the 5-HT2A receptor antagonist MDL100,907 [(+)-alpha-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-[2-(4-fluorophenylethyl)]-4-piperidinemethanol; 0, 10, or 20 nmol, 15 min prior to (-)DOI] into the PVN dose-dependently prevented the desensitization of 5-HT1A receptors induced by the 5-HT2A receptor agonist (-)DOI. Double-label immunocytochemistry revealed a high degree of colocalization of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors in the oxytocin and corticotropin-releasing factor neurons of the PVN. Thus, activation of 5-HT2A receptors in the PVN may directly induce a heterologous desensitization of 5-HT1A receptors within individual neuroendocrine cells. These findings may provide insight into the long-term adaptation of 5-HT1A receptor signaling after changes in function of 5-HT2A receptors; for example, during pharmacotherapy of mood disorders.

Drug-induced myoclonus: frequency, mechanisms and management

Myoclonus is a sudden, abrupt, brief, 'shock-like' involuntary movement caused by muscular contractions ('positive myoclonus') or a sudden brief lapse of muscle contraction in active postural muscles ('negative myoclonus' or 'asterixis'). Various disorders can cause myoclonus including neurodegenerative and systemic metabolic disorders and CNS infections. In addition, myoclonus has been described as an adverse effect of some drugs. Level II evidence is available to indicate that levodopa, cyclic antidepressants and bismuth salts can cause myoclonus, while there is less robust evidence to associate numerous other drugs with the induction of myoclonus. The pharmacological mechanisms responsible for this adverse effect are not well established, although increased serotonergic transmission may be involved in the induction of myoclonus by several drugs. Drug-induced myoclonus usually resolves after withdrawal of the offending drug, but in some cases specific treatments are needed.

Selective breeding of 5-HT(1A) receptor-mediated responses: application to emotion and receptor action

Rat lines that were selectively bred for high (high DPAT-sensitive, HDS) or low (low DPAT-sensitive, LDS) hypothermic responses to the specific 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-di-n-propylaminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT), differ in receptor binding and certain behaviors related to anxiety and depression. After reviewing this literature, the present communication summarizes new experiments designed to clarify and extend the nature of the pharmacological and biochemical differences between the lines. A challenge with the 5-HT(2) receptor agonist, DOI, produced similar degrees of head shakes and skin crawls in the HDS and LDS rats, suggesting similar sensitivity of 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2C) receptors. In contrast, DOI-induced flat body posture (FBP), which has been linked to 5-HT(1A) receptor stimulation, was observed more readily in the HDS rats. The HDS and LDS rats exhibited similar degrees of increase in 8-OH-DPAT-stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS binding in several brain regions. This result suggests that the dramatic differences in hypothermia in HDS and LDS rats cannot be related to 5-HT(1A) receptor-mediated action on G proteins. Overall, these findings indicate that the selective breeding for 5-HT(1A)-mediated hypothermia has been fairly selective, and that differences in emotionally relevant behaviors between these two rat lines can strongly be associated with an unidentified component of the 5-HT(1A) receptor signaling pathway.

Head and whole-body jerking in guinea pigs are differentially modulated by 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B/1D and 5-HT2A receptor antagonists

The present study examined the role of 5-hydroxytryptamine 5-HT receptor subtypes on 5-hydroxytryptamine- (5-HT-) mediated myoclonus in guinea pigs, evaluating head and whole-body jerking as two distinct behavioural responses. Myoclonus was induced by the 5-HT precursor L-5-hydroxytryptophan (L-5-HTP) and the non-selective 5-HT1A/1B/5-HT2 receptor agonist 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-tryptamine (5-MeODMT). The selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY100635 (N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridinyl)cycloh exanecarboxamide trihydrochloride) inhibited both head and whole-body jerking. The selective 5-HT1B/1D receptor antagonist GR127935 (N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-1 ,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide hemifumarate) only inhibited whole-body jerking, which resulted in unmasked head jerking. Co-administration of GR127935 and the selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist MDL100.151 ((+/-)-alpha-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-[-2-(4-fluorphenyl)ethyl]-4-+ ++piperidinmethanol) caused a complete inhibition of whole-body as well as head jerking. MDL100.151 had only limited effect on myoclonic jerking when given alone. The inhibitory effects of the 5-HT receptor antagonists on either L-5-HTP- or 5-MeODMT-induced myoclonus were found to be very similar. These data confirm a role for the 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B/1D receptors and suggest a role for 5-HT2A receptors in mediating myoclonus in guinea pigs. Moreover, the study shows that by considering head and whole-body jerking as two pharmacologically distinct behavioural responses, subtype specific 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B/1D and 5-HT2A receptor antagonists can be distinguished.

5-Hydroxytryptophan-induced myoclonus in guinea pigs: mediation through 5-HT1/2 receptor subtypes

In guinea pigs, myoclonus can be induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) precursors and synthetic 5-HT receptor agonists, yet the receptor subtype specificity of this behavior is not fully delineated. Guinea pigs were pre-treated with carbidopa (50 mg) followed by one of eight 5-HT antagonists: (-)-N-tert-butyl-3-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl) piperazin-1-yl]-2-phenyl propionamide ((-)-WAY 100135) (5-HT1A), N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]-ethyl]-N-(2-pyridyl)-cy clohexancarboxamide (WAY 100635) (5-HT1A), methiothepin mesylate (5-HT1/2), mesulergine hydrochloride (5-HT2A/2C), N[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-L-piperazinyl)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-1,2 ,4-oxadizol-3-yl) (GR 127935) (5-HT1D), trans-4-[(3Z)3-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)oxyimino-3(2-fluorop hen yl) propen-1-yl]phenol, hemifumarate (SR 46349) (5-HT2), ondansetron hydrochloride (5-HT3), and [1-[2-[methylsulphonyl)amino]ethyl]-4-piperidinyl]methyl-5-fluoro-2-meth oxy-1H-indole-3-carboxylate (GR 125487) (5-HT4). Thirty minutes later, they received 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) (75 mg/kg, sc) and myoclonic jumping rates were assessed every 10 min for 200 min by a blinded observer. Repeated measures analysis of variance of drug-induced antagonism of 5-HTP-induced myoclonus revealed a significant effect for the 5-HT receptor antagonists methiothepin mesylate, GR127935, and mesulergine hydrochloride compared to placebo, and each of these drugs inhibited 5-HTP-induced myoclonus in a dose-dependent fashion. Based on the receptor profiles of the three effective antagonists, 5-HTP-induced myoclonus is influenced by the 5-HT1/2 receptor systems. The absence of a significant change with any other receptor subtype antagonist suggests that myoclonus is not related to diffuse activation of central serotonergic mechanisms.

A computer-controlled apparatus for measuring and analysing myoclonic jerk activity in guinea pigs

Guinea pigs respond to 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) with a complex behavioural syndrome which includes distinctive whole-body jerks (myoclonic jerks). These are species-specific, involve all major muscle groups, are highly rhythmic and can occur with relatively high frequency (1-2/s). Current methods of quantifying the response, which rely on observer ratings are unsatisfactory. We report the development of a fully automated, PC-based system for detecting and analysing myoclonic jerks. Floor-mounted accelerometers generate a movement signal and detection is performed by an algorithm based on a detailed analysis of the topography of myoclonic jerk responses. The system can monitor the output from 10 purpose-built test enclosures and it provides for pseudorandom treatment allocation, flexible control of experimental parameters and automated data output to a spreadsheet which generates appropriate graphs, statistical summaries and data analysis. This robust response provides a useful means of exploring the role of novel 5-HT receptor subtypes in guinea-pig behaviour.

The role of 5-HT1D and 5-HT1A receptors in mediating 5-hydroxytryptophan induced myoclonic jerks in guinea pigs

Systemic administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) to guinea pigs causes species-specific, rhythmic, whole body jerks (myoclonic jerks), the frequency and amplitude of which were measured in an automated apparatus. The brain penetrant 5-HT1D receptor agonist 3-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-4-chloro-5-propoxyindole hemifumarate (SKF 99101H) (3-30 mg/kg i.p.) and the selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist (+/-)8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) (0.3-3 mg/kg s.c.) dose dependently potentiated the frequency and intensity of myoclonic jerks caused by 5-HTP (100 mg/kg). Cotreatment of guinea pigs with 8-OH-DPAT (3 mg/kg s.c.) and SKF 99101H (30 mg/kg i.p.), which were inactive when given alone, gave a marked myoclonic jerk response. Conversely, the myoclonic jerk response to higher doses of 5-HTP (150 mg/kg i.p.) was dose dependently blocked by the 5-HT1D receptor antagonist GR 127935 (N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-1 ,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)[1,1'-biphenyl]4-carboxamide oxalate) (ED50 0.32 mg/kg i.p.) and the selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY 100635 (N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridinyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide trihydrochloride) (ED50 0.33 mg/kg i.p.). The response to 5-HTP (150 mg/kg i.p.) was also blocked by ritanserin (0.01-0.3 mg/kg i.p.). Our data therefore confirm previous reports concerning the effects of 5-HT2A/2C receptor blockade on 5-HTP induced myoclonic jerks and suggest that both 5-HT1D and 5-HT1A receptors play an important role in mediating this behavioural response.

Effects of selective serotonergic ligands on posthypoxic audiogenic myoclonus

Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent cardiac arrest and resuscitation, subsequently exhibiting posthypoxic myoclonus. The audiogenic posthypoxic myoclonus in these animals could be attenuated with the following drugs: 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP, serotonin [5-HT] precursor), N-(3-trifluoro-methylphenyl)piperazine hydrochloride (TFMPP, 5-HT1B/1C/2 agonist), (+/-)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine hydrobromide (DOI, 5-HT2 agonist), and 1-(m-chlorophenyl)-biguanide hydrochloride (m-CPBG, 5-HT3 agonist). In contrast, the following drugs were ineffective: (+/-)-8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetralin hydrobromide (8-OH-DPAT, 5-HT1A agonist), buspirone hydrochloride (5-HT1A agonist), 7-trifluoromethyl-4(4-methyl-l-piperazinyl)-pyrrolo[1,2- a]quinoxaline maleate (CGS 12066B, 5-HT1B agonist), ketanserin tartrate (5-HT2 antagonist), methysergide maleate (5-HT2 antagonist), fluoxetine (5-HT uptake blocker), and saline (vehicle). The data suggest that enhancement of serotonergic activity, particularly through 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors, have therapeutic potential for the treatment of posthypoxic myoclonus.

Interactions between 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor subtypes: is a disturbed receptor balance contributing to the symptomatology of depression in humans?

The purpose of this review is to describe the consequences of antidepressant treatment on the behaviour of rodents after activation of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) receptor subtypes. In a summary table, the involvement of 5-HT receptors in inducing behavioural changes are described. It is emphasized that these effects are not always only exclusively linked to serotonergic functions nor that they are only initiated by central 5-HT receptors. Hereafter, the complex mutual inhibitory effects of 5-HT receptor subtype-mediated processes are discussed by interpreting effects of antagonists and describing the different effects of low and high doses of mixed 5-HT1C/5-HT2 receptor agonists. Mutual influences are seen particularly with 5-HT1A, 5-HT1C and 5-HT2, but not with 5-HT1B, 5-HT1D or 5-HT3 receptor-mediated effects. It is shown that the behavioural consequences of 5-HT1A, 5-HT1C and 5-HT2 receptor stimulation may be changed by brain lesions or chronic treatment with drugs. Among these drugs are the antidepressants. Finally, 5-HT receptor function in depressed patients is discussed, and the hypothesis is proposed that an important function of antidepressants is to restore a disturbed balance between 5-HT1A, 5-HT1C and 5-HT2 receptors in depressed patients.