Increased behavioural response to 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine but not to RU-24969 after intraventricular 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine administration.

Chemical lesioning of the 5-hydroxytryptamine neurones in the brain with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (200 micrograms i.c.v., 14 or 21 days previously) resulted in an enhanced behavioral response following administration of the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonist 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (2.5 mg/kg). The increase in the behavioural response showed a positive correlation with the decrease in whole brain 5-hydroxytryptamine levels. In contrast, there was no increase in the hyperlocomotion produced by the 5HT1 receptor agonist RU-24969 (3.5 mg/kg). The results are discussed in relation to the proposed 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor subtypes.