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5-HT1A agonists and dopamine: the effects of 8-OH-DPAT and buspirone on brain-stimulation reward

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Summary

Two specific 5-HT1A agonists, 8-OH-DPAT (0–300 Μg/kg), and buspirone (0–3.0 mg/kg), were tested on variable-interval, threshold-current self-stimulation of rat lateral hypothalamus. Buspirone produced a prolonged monotonic depression of responding, whereas the effects of 8-OH-DPAT were biphasic: 3.0 Μg/kg produced a sustained enhancement of responding while higher doses (100–300 Μg/kg) produced a relatively short-lasting depression. This biphasic pattern parallels previously reported effects of 8-OH-DPAT on food intake and on various other behaviours. Threshold-current self-stimulation is highly sensitive to alterations in dopaminergic transmission but relatively insensitive to changes in 5-HT. Thus the facilitatory effect of low-dose 8-OH-DPAT seems most plausibly interpreted in terms of enhanced dopaminergic transmission. This could be brought about by 5HT1A autoreceptor-mediated inhibition of 5-HT release and consequent disinhibition of dopaminergic transmission. Depression of self-stimulation by higher doses of 8-OH-DPAT may reflect the activity of 8-OH-DPAT at postsynaptic 5-HT receptors, with consequent inhibition of DA transmission. Suppression of responding after buspirone at all doses tested may reflect the action of this compound as a partial agonist at postsynaptic 5-HT receptors, and/or its effects on other systems.

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Author notes

  1. L. J. Herberg

    Present address: Institute of Neurology, National Hospital, London, UK

  2. A. M. J. Montgomery

    Present address: Department of Psychology, City of London Polytechnic, Calcutta House, Old Castle St., London E1, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Neurology, National Hospital, London, UK

    A. M. J. Montgomery & I. C. Rose

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  2. I. C. Rose
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  3. L. J. Herberg
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Montgomery, A.M.J., Rose, I.C. & Herberg, L.J. 5-HT1A agonists and dopamine: the effects of 8-OH-DPAT and buspirone on brain-stimulation reward. J. Neural Transmission 83, 139–148 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01244460

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