Neurokinin 1 receptor antagonism requires norepinephrine to increase serotonin function

The present studies examined the role of norepinephrine (NE) system in mediating the enhancement of 5-HT function produced by neurokinin (NK)1 receptor antagonism. Dorsal raphe 5-HT and locus coeruleus NE neurons were recorded in vivo in mice lacking NK1 receptors in wildtype mice pretreated with the NK1 antagonist RP67580 and its inactive enantiomer RP 68651. RP67580 and RP68651 were also tested on 5-HT neurons of mice lacking the 5-HT1A receptor. RP67580 increased the firing rate of 5-HT neurons in wildtype mice and in 5-HT1A null mutant mice to the same degree, thus indicating that the mechanism by which NK1 antagonists enhances 5-HT firing is independent of 5-HT1A receptors. NE neuronal burst activity was increased in NK1 null mutant and wildtype mice given RP67580, but not with RP68651. After NE depletion, RP67580 was ineffective in increasing 5-HT neuronal firing activity in NK1 wildtype mice, and the enhancement of 5-HT neuronal firing observed in NK1 null mutant mice was abolished. In conclusion, NE neurons are essential for the action of NK1 antagonists on 5-HT neurons. In addition, the desensitization of 5-HT1A autoreceptors produced by NK1 receptor antagonism is not critical for enhancing 5-HT neuronal firing.