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Spinal modulation of acoustic startle: Opposite effects of clonidine and d-amphetamine

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Abstract

Direct infusion of d-amphetamine (25–400 μg) or phenylephrine (12.5–50 μg) onto the spinal cord (intrathecal administration) increased acoustic startle amplitude. These effects were blocked by IP injection of the α1-adrenergic antagonist WB-4101, but not the serotonin antagonist cyproheptadine. In contrast, intrathecal administration of clonidine (0.9–12.5 μg) markedly depressed startle. This effect was not blocked by IP administration of WB-4101 or cyproheptadine, but was blocked by IP or intrathecal administration of the α2-adrenergic antagonist yohimbine (5 mg/kg), which by itself increased startle. Moreover, intrathecal yohimbine (100 μg) attenuated the depressant effect of IP clonidine, indicating that the spinal cord partially mediates the depressant effects on startle after systemic administration of clonidine. Thus clonidine does not behave like an α1-adrenergic on acoustic startle, even when introduced directly onto the spinal cord. Conditions under which clonidine produces excitatory or depressant behavioral effects are discused.

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  1. Yale University School of Medicine and Connecticut Mental Health Center, 34 Park Street, 06508, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    Michael Davis & David I. Astrachan

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  1. Michael Davis
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  2. David I. Astrachan
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Davis, M., Astrachan, D.I. Spinal modulation of acoustic startle: Opposite effects of clonidine and d-amphetamine. Psychopharmacology 75, 219–225 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00432427

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