Development of serotonin-mediated behavioral inhibition in the hyperthyroid mouse.

Experimental hyperthyroidism was induced in neonatal mice by thyroxine injections at 1-3 days of age. Control and thyroxine-treated mice were subsequently tested daily for locomotor activity following injections of methysergide, a serotonin antagonist, or saline from 10 through 15 days of age. Although thyroxine-treated mice were more active than controls, the ontogeny of methysergide-induced disinhibition of locomotor activity was similar for both thyroxine-treated and control mice. The results suggest that the early maturation of serotonin-mediated inhibition of behavioral arousal is not affected by thyroxine-accelerated development. Results are discussed in terms of the specificity of the pharmacological agent, methysergide.