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. 1969 Feb;35(2):243–252. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1969.tb07983.x

A study of the role of noradrenaline in behavioural changes produced in the rat by psychotomimetic drugs

M F Sugrue
PMCID: PMC1703232  PMID: 5774043

Abstract

1. LSD-25, psilocybin and JB-329 reduced the noradrenaline content of the rat hypothalamus.

2. All three drugs affected the acquisition of a conditioned avoidance response, LSD-25 and psilocybin retarding and JB-329 enhancing the acquisition. With the exception of JB-329, doses affecting the acquisition of a conditioned avoidance response were lower than those required to decide hypothalamic noradrenaline concentrations. The time of peak drug effect on the acquisition of a conditioned avoidance response occurred approximately 1.5 hr after injection as opposed to 3 hr in the case of noradrenaline content.

3. The amount of LSD-25, psilocybin and JB-329 necessary to elicit gross behavioural excitation was similar to the dose producing noradrenaline depletion. Here also the peak behavioural effect was detected earlier.

4. Pretreatment with reserpine and α-MT had no effect on the intensity of gross behavioural excitation induced by LSD-25 and psilocybin but shortened the duration of the response. The excitation induced by JB-329 was abolished by reserpine pretreatment and was markedly reduced both in intensity and duration by the prior injection of α-MT.

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Selected References

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