Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Modification of the effects of antipsychotic agents on the “Open Field” performance of rats by treatment with α-methyl tyrosine or p-chlorophenylalanine

  • Original Investigations
  • Published:
Psychopharmacologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Experiments were performed to study the effect on “Open Field” behaviour of subthreshold doses of reserpine and chlorpromazine in rats with lowered brain catecholamine or 5-hydroxytryptamine levels. The doses of α-methyltyrosine which are known to lower brain catecholamine contents by 65% remarkably enhanced the effects of antipsychotic agents on ambulation and rearing responses. These effects could be partially antagonized by simultaneous administration of L-DOPA. The lowering of 5-hydroxytryptamine to the extent of 90% by p-chlorophenylalanine failed to modify the effects of these antipsychotic agents. The findings suggest that the brain catecholamines levels play a greater role in the mechanism of antipsychotic agents as compared to 5-hydroxytryptamine levels.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Brodie, B. B., Comer, M. S., Costa, E., Dalbac, A.: The role of brain serotonin in the mechanism of the central action of reserpine. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 152, 340–349 (1966).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • —, Shore, P. A.: A concept for a role of serotonin and norepinephrine as chemical mediators in the brain. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 66, 631–642 (1957).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • — —, Pletscher, A.: Serotonin releasing activity limited to rauwolfia alkaloids with tranquillizing action. Science 123, 992–993 (1956).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • —, Spector, S., Shore, P. A.: Interaction of drugs with norepinephrine in the brain. Pharmacol. Rev. 11, 546–564 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Tomich, E. G., Kuntzman, R., Shore, P. A.: On the mechanism of action of reserpine: Effect of reserpine on capacity of tissues to bind serotonin. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 119, 461–467 (1957).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carlsson, A.: Selective protection of 5-hydroxytryptamine stores against the action of reserpine by treatment with 5-hydroxytryptophan. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 19, 783–784 (1967).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • —, Lindqvist, M.: In vivo decarboxylation of α-methyldopa and α-methylmetatyrosine. Acta physiol. scand. 54, 87–94 (1962).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • — —, Magnusson, T.: 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine and 5-hydroxytryptophan as reserpine antagonists. Nature (Lond.) 180, 1200 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Costa, E., Gessa, G. L., Hirsch, C., Kuntzman, R., Brodie, B. B.: On current status of serotonin as a brain neurohormone and in the action of reserpine like drugs. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 96, 118–133 (1962).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dandiya, P.C., Gupta, B.D., Gupta, M.L., Patni, S.K.: Effects of LSD on “Open Field” Performance of rats. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 15, 333–340 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Holzbauer, M., Vogt, M.: Depression by reserpine of the noradrenaline concentration in the hypothalamus of the cat. J. Neurochem. 1, 8–11 (1956).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Koe, B. K., Weissman, A.: p-Chlorphenylalanine: A specific depletor of brain serotonin. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 154, 499–516 (1966).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Menon, M. K., Bapna, J. S., Dandiya, P. C.: Effect of some psychopharmacological agents on norepinephrine depleted animals. Indian J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 10, 18 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Dandiya, P. C.: The mechanism of the tranquillizing action of asarone from Acorus calamus Linn. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 19, 170–175 (1967).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • — —, Bapna, J.S.: Modification of the effect of some central stimulants in mice pretreated with α-methyl-L-tyrosine. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 10, 437–444 (1967a).

    Google Scholar 

  • — — —: Modification of the effects of tranquillizers in animals treated with α-methyl-L-tyrosine. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 156, 63–69 (1967b).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rech, R. H., Carr, L. A., Moore, K. E.: Behavioral effects of α-methyl tyrosine after prior depletion of brain catecholamines. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 160, 326–335 (1968).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spector, S., Sjoerdsma, A., Udenfriend, S.: Blockade of endogenous norepinephrine synthesis by α-methyl-tyrosine, and inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylase. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 147, 86–95 (1965).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, S.M.S. Medical College, Jaipur, India

    J. S. Bapna & P. C. Dandiya

Authors
  1. J. S. Bapna
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. C. Dandiya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bapna, J.S., Dandiya, P.C. Modification of the effects of antipsychotic agents on the “Open Field” performance of rats by treatment with α-methyl tyrosine or p-chlorophenylalanine. Psychopharmacologia 17, 361–366 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00403807

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00403807

Key-Words

Search

Navigation