Concurrent determination of effects of p‐chloroamphetamine on central extracellular 5‐hydroxytryptamine concentration and behaviour

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Abstract
1 The effects of p-chloroamphetamine (PCA) (5 mg kg−1, i.p.) on extracellular concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were monitored in the frontal cortex of conscious, freely moving rats by means of intracerebral dialysis. Concomitant behaviour comprising the 5-HT behavioural syndrome (reciprocal forepaw treading, headweaving, wet dog shakes) and locomotion and grooming was also recorded. 2 PCA markedly and transiently increased extracellular 5-HT but extracellular 5-HIAA values decreased to a moderate extent. 3 The time-course of 5-HT changes correlated positively (P < 0.001) with those of the three components of the 5-HT syndrome but did not correlate significantly with locomotion and correlated negatively (P < 0.01) with grooming. 4 As previous work using conventional methodology did not reveal clear relationships between the effects of PCA on 5-HT metabolism and behaviour, the present results emphasise the value of in vivo dialysis in the study of the neurochemical mediation of the behavioural effects of drugs.