Discriminative stimulus properties of the serotonin agonist MK 212

Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1986;90(2):193-7. doi: 10.1007/BF00181240.

Abstract

In an attempt to clarify the role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the discriminative stimulus properties of MK 212 (6-chloro-2[1-piperazinyl]pyrazine), male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to discriminate 0.5 mg/kg of this compound from saline. While the putative 5-HT agonists fenfluramine and m-chlorophenylpiperazine (MCPP) mimicked MK 212 in a dose-related manner, d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), 8-hydroxy-2(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OHDPAT), 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeODMT), quipazine, Ru 24969, and 1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine (TFMPP) failed to substitute completely. The 5-HT1/5-HT2 antagonists BC 105, metergoline, and methysergide completely blocked the MK 212 cue, while the selective 5-HT2 antagonists ketanserin and pirenperone, the dopamine antagonists haloperidol and spiperone, and the beta-noradrenergic antagonist propranolol were without effect. The substitutions of fenfluramine and MCPP for MK 212 support a role for 5-HT in the MK 212 cue; however, the lack of substitution of many other 5-HT agonists is difficult to explain. The complete antagonism by 5-HT1/5-HT2 but not by selective 5-HT2, antagonists suggests the possibility that 5-HT1 receptors mediate the stimulus properties of MK 212. Further research is needed to support this hypothesis and to investigate the relative role of 5-HT and other neurotransmitters in the stimulus effects of MK 212.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Discrimination Learning / drug effects
  • Discrimination, Psychological / drug effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Interactions
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Pyrazines / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Serotonin / physiology

Substances

  • Pyrazines
  • Serotonin
  • 6-chloro-2-(1-piperazinyl)pyrazine