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Swim stress inhibits 5-HT2A receptor-mediated head twitch behaviour in mice

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Abstract

Rationale

Several studies have shown that swim stress lowers the convulsant potency of different convulsants. The involvement of α2- adrenoceptors has been proposed. Drugs active at α2-adrenoceptors are known to modulate the head twitch response, the behaviour supposedly mediated by 5-HT2A receptors.

Objectives

We tested whether swim stress modulates head twitch behaviour in mice and whether α2-adrenoceptors interfere with this effect.

Methods

The mice were stressed (10 min swimming at 18–19°C), and the head twitch response was produced by 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP, the precursor of serotonin) or by 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI, a selective 5-HT2 receptor agonist) administered IP before or after swimming. Yohimbine (a non-selective α2-adrenoceptor antagonist), idazoxan (a selective α2-adrenoceptor antagonist) and diazepam were also used.

Results

Swim stress inhibited profoundly the 5-HTP-induced head twitch behaviour in mice. α2-Adrenoceptor antagonists and diazepam failed to counteract this effect. The head twitch behaviour produced by DOI given before or after stress was also inhibited. Repeatedly stressed mice had only a mild inhibition of the head twitch response.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that swim stress inhibits, by an α2-adrenoceptor unrelated mechanism, 5-HT2A receptor-mediated head twitch behaviour in mice, suggesting that this effect and the swim stress-induced anticonvulsant effect are produced by two separate and independent mechanisms.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Croatian Ministry of Science and Technology. The skilful technical assistance of Mrs. Zlatica Tonšetić is gratefully acknowledged.

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  1. Laboratory for Molecular Neuropharmacology, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruðer Boškoviæ Institute, POB 180, 10002, Zagreb, Croatia

    Danka Peričić

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  1. Danka Peričić
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Correspondence to Danka Peričić.

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Peričić, D. Swim stress inhibits 5-HT2A receptor-mediated head twitch behaviour in mice. Psychopharmacology 167, 373–379 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-002-1357-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-002-1357-y

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