The effects of lithium treatment on serotonin (5-HT) receptors in rat frontal cortex and hippocampus were investigated. Long-term lithium treatment strongly blocked 5-hydroxytryptophan-induced head twitches, while acute lithium administration by itself induced head twitches in rats, and ketanserin blocked this acute lithium action. Long-term administration of lithium decreased the number of not only 5-HT2 receptors in the frontal cortex but also 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors in the hippocampus in rats. Decreases in 3H-5-HT binding to hippocampal 5-HT1 receptors and 3H-spiperone binding to frontal cortical 5-HT2 receptors, caused by chronic lithium treatment, were abolished by co-administration of p-chlorophenylalanine, and were enhanced by co-administration with methiothepin. The turnover of 5-HT in either frontal cortex or hippocampus was facilitated by lithium, and co-administered methiothepin enhanced this facilitation. These results suggest that long-term lithium treatment causes the down-regulation of postsynaptic 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors, in part probably through its action on presynaptic nerve terminals.

Keywords:
Lithium Head twitches, Down-regulation, 5-HT1 receptors, 5-HT2 receptors, Hippocampus, Frontal cortex
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1986 S. Karger AG, Basel
1986
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.