Comparative study of the effects of stimulation or blockade of beta-adrenoceptors on the head-twitches induced in mice by 5-hydroxytryptophan versus 5-methoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine.

This study aimed at comparing the effects of blockade or stimulation of beta-adrenoceptors on the head-twitch response induced in mice by direct (5-MeODMT) or indirect (5-HTP) activation of serotonergic receptors shows that: beta-agonists (clenbuterol and salbutamol) increased the 5-HTP-induced head-twitches and decreased the response to 5-MeODMT. beta-agonists (propranolol and penbutolol) reduced the head-twitches elicited by 5-HTP but enhanced those induced by 5-MeODMT. Under our experimental conditions, desipramine behaved like the beta-agonists studied. Prior intracerebroventricular injection of 5,7-DHT enhanced the response to 5-MeODMT but did not prevent the antagonism of clenbuterol against 5-MeODMT-induced head-twitches. These findings suggest that beta-receptors are in a position to regulate differentially serotonin transmission.