Serotonergic reduction of dorsal central gray area stimulation-produced aversion

R. Sanford Kiser, Dwight C. German, Robert M. Lebowitz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

Stimulating electrodes were implanted into the dorsal central gray area (DCG) of rats. The animals were trained to bar press to decrement the aversive DCG stimulation current. Rats treated with 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), 75 mg/kg, showed a dose-dependent reduction in decremental bar pressing. In a second study, animals received either chlorimipramine, 15 mg/kg, protriptyline, 15 mg/kg, or 5-HTP, 150 mg/kg. Chlorimipramine, a strong blocker of serotonin reuptake, and 5-HTP produced significant reductions in decremental bar pressing. Protriptyline, a weak serotonin reuptake blocker, produced no significant effect. These results suggest that serotonin reduces aversive neural mechanisms associated with the dorsal central gray area.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)27-31
Number of pages5
JournalPharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1978

Keywords

  • Aversion
  • Pain mechanisms
  • Serotonin
  • Stimulation-produced analgesia
  • Tricyclic antidepressants

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Biological Psychiatry
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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