Model of central chemical 'serotoninectomy' in mice.

The influence of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) and 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine (5,6-DHT) on the level of noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in discrete brain areas of mice was studied. Moreover, the level of free and total acetylcholine (Ach) in the whole brain was measured. The behaviour of animals was also observed. 5,7-DHT caused a relatively specific short-term decrease of 5-HT and 5-HIAA level in discrete areas of mice brain with the decrease of DA level in the striatum. This substance seems to produce a relatively specific disruption of central 5-HT neurons in mice. 5,7-DHT is an unspecific neurotoxic drug for mouse brain. Both substances did not affect the gross behaviour of mice.