Role of the thalamic intergeniculate leaflet and its 5-HT afferences in the chronobiological properties of 8-OH-DPAT and triazolam in syrian hamster.

The 5-HT(1A/7) receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-[di-n-propylamino]-tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) has chronobiological effects on the circadian system and, in the Syrian hamster, it is known that serotonergic (5-HT) projections connecting the median raphe nucleus to the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus are a prerequisite for the expression of 8-OH-DPAT-induced phase advance of locomotor activity rhythm. We examined the possible involvement of the thalamic intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) in the phase-shifting properties of 8-OH-DPAT injections at CT7. Bilateral electrolytic lesions of the IGL blocked phase-shift responses to 8-OH-DPAT of the activity rhythm. Phase changes induced by injections of 8-OH-DPAT at CT7 and triazolam (Tz), a short-acting benzodiazepine, at CT6 were also studied after bilateral chemical lesion of the 5-HT fibres connecting the dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) to IGL. Destruction of 5-HT fibres within the IGL blocked the phase-shift response to Tz, but not the phase-shift response to 8-OH-DPAT. In conclusion, (a) IGL is essential for the phase-shifting effect of peripheral 8-OH-DPAT injections; (b) 5-HT fibres connecting DR to IGL are necessary for the expression of the phase-shifting effect of Tz but not of 8-OH-DPAT.