Summary
Rats were depleted of 5-HT by feeding a diet free of tryptophan: brain levels were lowered by 80% and intestinal mucosal levels by 90%. One third of the animals showed specific behavioural changes which included backward circling, head nodding, tremor, ataxia, squealing and convulsions.
These changes were not due lack of 5-HT, as normal behaviour was not restored by 5-HTP. 5-HTP decarboxylase activity was normal, and reserpine produced characteristic sedation.
It is suggested that these findings do not support the theory that the central actions of reserpine are mediated by 5-HT.
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It is a pleasure to thank Dr. P. B. Marshall for advice and encouragement, Ciba Ltd. for reserpine, Glaxo Ltd. for vitamin B12, and May and Baker Ltd. for phthalylsulphathiazole
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Boullin, D.J. Behaviour of rats depleted of 5-hydroxytryptamine by feeding a diet free of tryptophan. Psychopharmacologia 5, 28–38 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00405572
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00405572