A microdialysis study of ST1936, a novel 5-HT6 receptor agonist
VALENTINI, VALENTINA;DI CHIARA, GAETANO
2011-01-01
Abstract
The function of 5-HT6 receptors, one of the last additions to the large family of 5-HT receptors, is largely unknown due to the limited knowledge of their transduction mechanisms, lack of full centrally acting agonists and inconsistencies in the pharmacological and neurochemical effects of the antagonists. Recently, a new full agonist, ST1936, with nanomolar affinity for 5-HT6 receptors, has become available. Here we report the effect of ST1936 (5-10-20 mg/kg/ip) on dialysate DA, NA and 5-HT in the medial prefrontal cortex (PFCX) and in the shell and core of the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Systemic administration of ST1936 dose-dependently increased dialysate DA and NA in the NAc shell and PFCX and to a lesser extent in the NAc core; these effects were prevented by systemic administration of the two 5-HT6 receptor antagonists, SB271046 (10-20 mg/kg/ip) and SB399885 (5 mg/kg/ip). These properties of ST1936 suggest that 5-HT6 receptors control the activity of DA and NA neurons projecting to the NAc and to the PFCX.Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.