Research reportp-Hydroxyamphetamine causes prepulse inhibition disruption in mice: Contribution of serotonin neurotransmission

p-Hydroxyamphetamine (p-OHA) has been shown to have a number of pharmacological actions, including causing abnormal behaviors such as increased locomotor activity and head-twitch response in rodents. We have recently reported that intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of p-OHA dose-dependently induces prepulse inhibition (PPI) disruption in mice, which is attenuated by pretreatment with haloperidol, clozapine or several dopaminergic agents. Haloperidol and clozapine have affinities for serotonergic (especially 5-HT2A) receptors. To investigate the involvement of the central serotonergic systems in p-OHA-induced PPI disruption, herein we tested several serotonergic agents to determine their effects on p-OHA-induced PPI disruption. p-OHA-induced PPI disruption was attenuated by pretreatment with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT, a neurotoxin which targets serotonin-containing neurons) and p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA, a serotonin synthesis inhibitor). p-OHA-induced PPI disruption was also attenuated by pretreatment with ketanserin (a 5-HT2A/2C receptor antagonist) and MDL100,907 (a selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist). These data suggest that p-OHA-induced PPI disruption may involve increased serotonin release into the synaptic cleft, which then interacts with the post-synaptic 5-HT2A receptor.

► p-Hydroxyamphetamine (p-OHA)-induced PPI disruption was attenuated by 5-HT2A receptor antagonists. ► The PPI disruption was attenuated by a neurotoxin, which targets serotonin-containing neurons. ► The PPI disruption was attenuated by a serotonin synthesis inhibitor. ► Central serotonin neurotransmission is involved in the p-OHA-induced PPI disruption.