Neurochemical effects of danitracen (WA-355): mechanism of action.

Danitracen lowered serotonin levels in the cerebrum, cerebellum, medulla and the whole brain. The drug did not appear to affect the concentration of 5-HIAA except in the cerebellum where there was a considerable depletion. Danitracen pretreatment led to a lowering in the 5-HIAA levels in the whole brain and decreased NE levels in apomorphine and amphetamine treated rats. The findings indicate that the mechanism of action of danitracen also involves noradrenergic neurons along with a possible increase in the metabolism.