[The effect of oxytocin on the activity of the brain serotoninergic systems in narcotic-dependent rats].

Changes in the serotonin and 5-oxyindolacetic acid contents in mitochondrial fractions of different brain structures were studied prior to and after oxytocin intraventricular microinjection in normal and drug-dependent rats. The oxytocin administration exerted different effects on serotonin metabolism in different brain structures. The drug-dependent animals showed a higher level of the brain serotonin as compared to the control. The oxytocin administration decreased hypothalamic and hippocampal serotonin levels. The oxytocin effect on the processes of drug dependence is discussed.