Investigation of central cholinergic mechanisms in the conscious mouse.

Abstract

1. An investigation of central cholinoceptors in the mouse has been made by injecting cholinomimetic drugs into the cerebral ventricles and seeing how their effects were modified by prior administration of atropine-like substances and other drugs.2. Carbachol or oxotremorine injected in small doses intracerebroventricularly into conscious mice caused hypothermia, gross tremor and a variety of parasympathomimetic effects including lachrymation and salivation. Acetylcholine injected in this way was active only in much larger doses.3. Methacholine and pilocarpine also caused a variety of parasympathomimetic effects after intracerebroventricular injection but virtually no hypothermia or tremor.4. Nicotine injected intracerebroventricularly caused mild hypothermia, fine tremor but no parasympathomimetic effects.5. Atropine-like drugs, tricyclic antidepressants and amphetamine antagonized the hypothermia induced by intracerebroventricular carbachol or oxotremorine.6. The sites of action of the atropine-like drugs are in the brain; those of the tricyclic antidepressants and amphetamine are in the periphery probably on heat generating beta-adrenoceptor mechanisms.7. It is concluded that the atropine sensitive cholinoceptors in the brain vary in their sensitivities to cholinomimetic drugs, other than acetylcholine, and may exist in isoreceptor forms.8. Peripheral atropine sensitive cholinoceptors may also exist in isoreceptor forms.