Differential effects of spinal 5-HT 1A receptor activation and 5-HT 2A/2C receptor desensitization by chronic haloperidol

Abstract

The effects of 7- and 21-day haloperidol treatment on the spinal serotonergic system were examined in vivo in acutely spinalized adult rats. Intravenous administration of a selective 5-HT 2A/2C receptor agonist, (±)-2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine hydrochloride (0.1 mg/kg) significantly increased the excitability of spinal motoneurones as reflected by increased monosynaptic mass reflex amplitude. This was significantly reduced in rats treated with haloperidol (1 mg/kg/day, i.p.) for 7 and 21 days. Administration of a 5-HT 1A/7 receptor agonist, (±)-8-Hydroxy dipropylaminotetraline hydrobromide (0.1 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly inhibited the monosynaptic mass reflex. This inhibition was greatly prolonged in haloperidol treated animals. These results demonstrate that the effects of haloperidol on the activation and desensitization of 5-HT 1A and 5-HT 2A/2C receptors respectively, may be mediated via intracellular mechanisms shared by these receptors with dopamine D 2 receptors in the mammalian spinal cord. The above serotonergic mechanisms may be partly responsible for haloperidol-induced extrapyramidal motor dysfunction.