INVESTIGATING THE SEROTONERGIC SYSTEM'S ROLE IN THE OCCURRENCE OF LITHIUM-PILOCARPINE-INDUCED SEIZURES

Main Article Content

Bahman Rabiei
Tahereh Sharifi

Keywords

Psychoactive drugs, Lithium-pilocarpine, Seizures, Serotonergic system

Abstract

The mechanism of lithium's psychoactive effects has not yet been clarified. However, the change in the endogenous chemical mediator systems of the brain is significant in the occurrence of its effects. Several interactions of lithium with muscarinic responses have been reported. In this regard, the mechanism enhancing convulsions induced by muscarinic agonists might be related to the mechanism of its psychoactive effects. It has been recommended that lithium might directly affect cholinergic neurotransmission or potentiate the effects of pilocarpine by affecting other chemical mediator systems. Owing to the significant role of the serotonergic system in the initiation, development, and suppression of seizures in various epilepsy models in this study, the present system investigates the occurrence of lithium-pilocarpine-induced seizures. The results suggest that pretreatment with some compounds affecting the serotonergic system such as cyproheptadine (0.2-0.8 mg/kg), propranolol (0.5-1 mg/kg), and fluoxetine (2-10 mg/kg) can suppress seizures induced by lithium-pilocarpine. However, destructing and even enhancing this system with para-chlorophenylalanine (150mg/kg) for three consecutive days before lithium), 5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine (200 µg per animal), and fenfluramine (55mg/kg) do not affect this type of seizure.

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