Buspirone decreases the activity of serotonin-containing neurons in the dorsal raphe in freely-moving cats.

Buspirone, a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic agent, produced a dose-dependent decrease in the activity of serotonin-containing neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus of freely-moving cats. The response ranged from no significant change at doses of 0.05 mg/kg to a nearly total suppression of activity at 1 mg/kg. These data suggest that the anxiolytic properties of buspirone may be mediated, at least part, by an action on neurons in the dorsal raphe.