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A possible correlation between drug-induced hallucinations in man and a behavioural response in mice

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Summary

The production of head-twitches in mice appears to be a suitable laboratory test for predicting whether a compound is likely to be hallucinogenic in man. This is based on the following findings:

  1. 1.

    With the exception of acetyl-lysergic acid diethylamide and nalorphine, hallucinogenic drugs induced head-twitches in mice.

  2. 2.

    Chemically related compounds which are not hallucinogenic did not induce head-twitches with the exception of 5-HTP, ergometrine, α-ethylmescaline and DMPE. It is suggested that these 4 drugs might produce hallucinations if they were given in high enough doses.

  3. 3.

    There is a good correlation between drug-induced hallucinations in man and drug-induced head-twitches in mice in terms of dose/kg.

  4. 4.

    Chlorpromazine, haloperidol, tetrahydroaminacrine and monoamine-oxidase inhibitors can antagonize hallucinations in man. These same compounds antagonised head-twitches induced in mice by the appropriate hallucinogens.

  5. 5.

    Cross-tolerance has been demonstrated between LSD and mescaline LSD and psilocybin and LSD and DMT in man. Mescaline, psilocybin and DMT also antagonised LSD-induced head-twitches in mice.

A potent antiserotonin, methysergide, antagonised the head-twitches induced by a wide variety of chemically different hallucinogens. This gives support to the idea that hallucinogens may act by mimicking, releasing or potentiating serotonin centrally.

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Author notes

  1. R. W. Pickering

    Present address: Pharmacology Department, Riker Laboratories Ltd., Welwyn Garden City, Herts

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacological Research, Parke-Davis & Co., Hounslow, Middlesex

    S. J. Corne & R. W. Pickering

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  1. S. J. Corne
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Corne, S.J., Pickering, R.W. A possible correlation between drug-induced hallucinations in man and a behavioural response in mice. Psychopharmacologia 11, 65–78 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00401509

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00401509

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