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1. The effects of 5-HT and 5-HT agonists to induce contraction and the 5-HT receptors mediating these effects were investigated in the proximal, central and terminal intestinal segments of Suncus murinus. 2. The contraction curves to 5-HT (3 nM - 30 microM) were shifted to the right by methysergide (1 microM) and ritanserin (0.1 microM), without affecting the maximum response. 3. In the central and terminal segments (but not the proximal segments) ondansetron (1 microM) and atropine (1 microM) significantly attenuated the contractions to higher concentrations of 5-HT. The selective 5-HT4 receptor antagonist SB204070 (1 nM), failed to modify 5-HT induced contractions in any segment examined. 4. 5-carboxamidotryptamine, alpha-methyl-5-HT and 5-methoxytryptamine (0.003 - 3.0 microM) induced contractions but unlike 5-HT, higher concentrations of these three agents failed to increase the response or were associated with a decrease in response. 2-methyl-5-HT (0.03 - 1.0 microM) was ten times less potent than 5-HT to induce contraction but achieved the same maximum response. 5. The contractions induced by the lower concentrations of 2-methyl-5-HT (0.03 - 1.0 microM) in all segments were markedly reduced or abolished by methysergide (1.0 microM); the response to the higher concentrations of 2-methyl-5-HT (3 - 30.0 microM) were markedly reduced by atropine (1.0 microM) and ondansetron (1.0 microM). 6. In all segments examined, tetrodotoxin (1 microM) significantly reduced the 5-HT-induced contraction. 7. It is concluded that the 5-HT-induced contraction was mediated via 5-HT2 (ritanserin sensitive) receptors in all regions of the intestine, with 5-HT3 (ondansetron sensitive) receptors mediating an additional major component in the central and terminal regions.

1. The ability of 5-HT2 and 5-HT4 receptor antagonists to modify the disinhibitory profile of diazepam and other agents was investigated in male BKW mice in the light/dark test box. 2. The 5-HT2A/2B/2C receptor antagonists ritanserin, MDL11939 and RP62203 and also methysergide, which failed to modify mouse behaviour when administered alone, caused dose-related enhancements (4 to 8 fold) in the potency of diazepam to disinhibit behavioural responding to the aversive situation of the test box. 3. Ritanserin was shown to enhance the disinhibitory potency of other benzodiazepines, chlordiazepoxide (4 fold), temazepam (10 fold) and lorazepam (10 fold), the 5-HT1A receptor ligands, 8-OH-DPAT (25 fold), buspirone (100 fold) and lesopitron (500 fold), the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, ondansetron (100 fold) R(+)-zacopride (100 fold) and S(-)-zacopride (greater than a 1000 fold), the substituted benzamides, sulpiride (10 fold) and tiapride (5 to 10 fold) and the cholecystokinin (CCK)A receptor antagonist, devazepide (100 fold). It also reduced the onset of action of disinhibition following treatment with the 5-HT synthesis inhibitor parachlorophenylalanine. Ritanserin failed to enhance the disinhibitory effects of the CCKB receptor antagonist CI-988, the angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonist losarten or the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor ceranapril. 4. The 5-HT4 receptor antagonists SDZ205-557, GR113808 and SB204070 caused dose-related reductions in the disinhibitory effect of diazepam, returning values to those shown in vehicle treated controls. The antagonists failed to modify mouse behaviour when administered alone. 5. GR113808 was also shown to cause a dose-related antagonism of the disinhibitory effects of chlordiazepoxide, lorazepam, 8-OH-DPAT, buspirone, lesopitron, ondansetron, R(+)-zacopride, sulpiride, tiapride, devazepide, CI-988, losarten, ceranapril and parachlorophenylalanine. 6. It was concluded that in BKW mice (a) the failure of 5-HT2 and 5-HT4 receptor antagonists when administered alone to modify behaviour in the light/dark test indicates an absence of an endogenous 5-HT tone at the 5-HT2 and 5-HT4 receptors and (b) the enhancement by the 5-HT2 receptor antagonists and attenuation by the 5-HT4 receptor antagonists of drug-induced disinhibition indicates a plurality of 5-HT receptor involvement in the mediation of drug-induced disinhibitory profiles in the mouse.

1. The patterns of intestinal motility and the effect of an increase in intraluminal pressure were studied in vitro on segments obtained from the marmoset small intestine. 2. Segments obtained from the distal half of the marmoset small intestine exhibited segmentation, consisting of narrow annular contractions (lasting for 2-3 s) interposed between the relaxed segments of varying length. The subsequent contractions occurred slightly distal to the previous contraction, with ring-like contractions appearing to move in the aboral direction. Such segmentation was infrequent or absent in the segments obtained from the proximal half of the small intestine. An increase in intraluminal pressure inhibited segmentation and finally produced peristalsis in most of the tissues. 3. The influence of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor agonists and antagonists on the threshold of the peristaltic reflex was investigated in the segments obtained from the distal half of the intestine after segmentation had subsided. The effect of drug application to the serosal surface was measured as a change in threshold pressure required to trigger the peristaltic reflex. A facilitation was defined in two ways (a) as a reduction in the threshold pressure required to trigger the reflex and (b) in those tissues that failed to respond with peristalsis on raising intraluminal pressure to the maximum attainable (1 kPa), as a reduction in threshold pressure compared to this value. 4. 5-HT (7.85 +/- 0.19), 5-methoxytryptamine (7.79 +/- 0.24), 5-carboxamidotryptamine (6.66 +/- 0.13) and 2-methyl-5-HT (6.24 +/- 0.16) caused a concentration related facilitation of the peristaltic reflex, the pD2 values (mean +/- s.e.mean) being shown in parentheses. 5. The concentration-response curves to both 5-HT and 5-methoxytryptamine were dextrally shifted in a surmountable manner in the presence of GR 113808 (30 nM). pD2 values for 5-HT and 5-methoxytryptamine were significantly decreased to 6.98 +/- 0.24 and 6.83 +/- 0.36 respectively in the presence of GR 113808 (30 nM). 6. In the presence of a high concentration of (10 microM) 5-methoxytryptamine the subsequent addition of 2-methyl-5-HT (3-10 microM) but not 5-methoxytryptamine (10 microM) facilitated peristalsis; the effect of 3 microM 2-methyl-5-HT was significantly decreased by 2 microM ondansetron. 7. It is concluded that the facilitation of the peristaltic reflex in the marmoset intestine induced by 5-HT at submicromolar concentrations involves a 5-HT4 receptor stimulation with an additional 5-HT3 receptor activation at higher concentrations.

1. The ability of 5-hydroxytryptophan, 5-HT2 receptor antagonists and typical and atypical neuroleptic agents to modify behavioural responding to aversive situations was investigated in the mouse light/dark test and rat social interaction. 2. The administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan inhibited rat social interaction and the exploratory behaviour of mice in the light/dark test. 3. The 5-HT2 receptor antagonists, ketanserin, ritanserin, MDL11939, methysergide and RP62203, the neuroleptic agents, spiperone, haloperidol and benperidol, and the atypical neuroleptic agent, clozapine, when administered alone failed to modify mouse or rat behaviour. In contrast, when administered alone, sulpiride in rats and mice and thioridazine in rats disinhibited behaviour. 4. Methysergide, RP62203, ketanserin, ritanserin and MDL11939 antagonized the inhibitory effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan or reversed the inhibitory effects to one of disinhibition. 5. Low doses of spiperone (but not haloperidol or benperidol) also antagonized the inhibitory effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan in the rat but not the mouse. Higher doses of the three neuroleptic agents caused locomotor depression in both rats and mice which obscured any specific changes in behavioural responding to the aversive situations. 6. The disinhibitory profile of sulpiride in both mice and rats and thioridazine in rats was evident during their interaction with 5-hydroxytryptophan. Thioridazine in the mouse and clozapine in rats and mice also reversed the inhibitory effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan to one of disinhibition. 7. In summary, we present evidence that the atypical neuroleptic agents, thioridazine and clozapine, with their known affinity for the 5-HT2 receptors, can mimic the actions of reference 5-HT2 receptor antagonists to antagonize the inhibitory effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan in rodent models of anxiety. The results are intepreted in terms of drug action on different 5-HT2 and other 5-HT receptor subtypes. In addition, thioridazine and sulpiride have disinhibitory effects in their own right which remain to be explained.

The emetic profile of action of cisplatin 5 and 10 mg/kg i.p. was investigated in the ferret over a 72 and 24 hr period respectively. The 5-HT3 receptor antagonists ondansetron and alosetron markedly antagonized or abolished the emesis during the "acute phase" and, whilst antagonizing the emesis during the delayed phase, also revealed a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist resistant component. These cisplatin paradigms may provide models relevant to the study of acute and delayed emesis induced by cisplatin in man.

Dumuis and colleagues (1988) in their investigation of a 5-HT receptor positively linked to adenylate cyclase in the central nervous system, concluded that the receptor was not 5-HT1, 5-HT2 or 5-HT3-like and suggested that it belonged to a new class of 5-HT receptor called 5-HT4. A similar, if not identical receptor was located by Craig and Clark (1990) in the guinea pig ileum and a functional role for the peripheral 5-HT4 receptor has since been established in many species to mediate muscle contraction or relaxation within the gut and positive inotropic effects in the heart. In contrast, a functional role for central 5-HT4 receptors has remained obscure. Using measurements of rodent behaviour in the mouse light and dark test box and rat social interaction, anxiolytic agents such as diazepam and putative anxiolytic agents such as the 5-HT1A and 5-HT3 receptor ligands 8-OH-DPAT and low doses of tropisetron release behaviour suppressed by the aversive situation. 5-Hydroxytryptophan has the opposite effect exacerbating the behavioural response to the aversive situation. But an anxiolytic profile is revealed by co-treatment with ritanserin plus 5-hydroxytryptophan. The drug-induced anxiolytic profiles are inhibited by SDZ205-557 and a high dose of tropisetron. Both compounds are 5-HT3/5-HT4 receptor antagonists yet the selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron fails to inhibit the drug-induced anxiolytic profiles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effect of 5-HT receptor agonists and antagonists to inhibit [3H]5-HT uptake was investigated in rat cortical synaptosomes. The 5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine) uptake inhibitors paroxetine and fluoxetine yielded pKi values of 8.41 +/- 0.12 and 7.43 +/- 0.06 respectively. The 5-HT3/5-HT4 receptor antagonist tropisetron and the 5-HT1A agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) had similar inhibitory potencies to cocaine (pKi values of 6.58 +/- 0.04, 6.47 +/- 0.14 and 6.45 +/- 0.12 respectively). The dopamine and noradrenaline uptake inhibitors GBR12909 and desipramine had comparable values of 6.5 +/- 0.05 and 6.13 +/- 0.07. Other 5-HT receptor ligands had pKi values less than 6.0 (R(+)-zacopride, MDL72222, R(+)/S(-)-zacopride) or 5.0 (5-methoxytryptamine, m-chlorophenylbiguanide, S(-)-zacopride, SDZ205-557, ondansetron and renzapride). It is concluded, with the possible exception of tropisetron and 8-OH-DPAT, that it is unlikely that the effects of the 5-HT receptor ligands to inhibit 5-HT uptake contribute to their effects in vivo.

The S-isomer of the novel 5-HT3 receptor antagonist RS-42358 ((S)-N-(1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-2,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1-H- benzo[de]isoquinolin-1-one, RS-42358-197) disinhibited behaviour in the mouse suppressed by the aversive situation of the light/dark test box. RS-42358-197 was effective at sub-ng/kg dose levels and the efficacy was maintained over a 100 million-fold dose range. In contrast, the R-isomer was ineffective at all doses studied. The S-isomer also disinhibited a suppressed behaviour in social interaction and elevated X-maze tests in the rat and reduced anxiety-related behaviours in a marmoset human threat test. RS-42358-197 prevented the exacerbation of the suppression of behaviour in the mouse light/dark test following withdrawal from treatment with alcohol, nicotine, cocaine and diazepam. Thus, the S-isomer of RS-42358 has a consistent non-sedating anxiolytic profile in rodent and primate models. It is exceptionally potent and a maintained efficacy at high doses distinguishes its actions from many other 5-HT3 receptor antagonists.

Pharmacological manipulations to enhance 5-HT synthesis and release have been reported to reduce alcohol intake. However, recent evidence indicates that 5-HT3 receptor antagonists may also exert a similar effect in a number of species. This report reviews the existing data which implicates a central role for 5-HT3 receptors in the control of psychoactive substance abuse.

5-HT3 receptors have an exclusive neuronal location and evidence is presented of their involvement in behaviour. 5-HT3 receptor antagonists such as ondansetron, tropisetron and zacopride have provided the critical pharmacological tools to reveal a potent and efficacious ability to regulate disturbed behaviour. Thus the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists will restore to normal rodent and primate behaviour disturbed by increasing limbic dopamine function, aversive situations, cognitive impairments and drug abuse. The remarkable feature of their action is a failure to modify normal behaviour. This unique pharmacological signature has ensured a wide interest in the potential role of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists in the treatment of schizophrenia, anxiety, age related memory impairment and the problems of withdrawal from drugs of abuse. The preclinical data and preliminary clinical observations are presented.

5-HT3 receptor antagonists such as ondansetron, granisetron, ICS205-930 and zacopride are highly effective in the ferret, cat or dog to prevent emesis caused by cisplatin and other chemotherapeutic agents, and radiation treatment. The anti-emetic effects may be mediated centrally in the area postrema and associated structures of the emetic reflex such as the nucleus tractus solitarius, which have a very high density of 5-HT3 receptors. Additional sites of action may be found on the 5-HT3 receptors located on the vagus nerve or enteric neuronal elements in the gastro-intestinal tract. The precise site(s) and mechanism(s) of action of different cytotoxic treatments to induce emesis remains to be determined, but appears to involve a common action on a 5-HT3 system. The 5-HT3 receptor antagonists do not impair normal behaviour and, in particular, fail to affect the extrapyramidal motor system and do not cause sedation. Of potential benefit, the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists have an anxiolytic profile of action in rodent and primate models. The 5-HT3 receptor antagonists are revealed as an important group of drugs to prevent emesis induced by a wide range of cytotoxic treatments.

1. The ability of various anxiolytic and potential anxiolytic agents to modify 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) release in the frontal cortex of the rat was assessed by the microdialysis technique. 2. The benzodiazepine receptor agonist, diazepam (2.5 mg kg-1, i.p.), the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT, 0.32 mg kg-1, s.c.) and the 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist buspirone (4.0 mg kg-1, i.p.) maximally reduced extracellular levels of 5-HT in the rat frontal cortex by approximately 50-60%, 70-80% and 30-40%, respectively. 3. (R)-zacopride (1.0-100 micrograms kg-1, i.p.) dose-dependently reduced extracellular levels of 5-HT in the rat frontal cortex (approximately 80% maximal reduction) whereas the other 5-HT3 receptor antagonists ondansetron (10 micrograms kg-1, i.p.) and (S)-zacopride (10-100 micrograms kg-1, i.p.) were ineffective. 4. In contrast to (S)-zacopride (100 nM; administered via the microdialysis probe), (R)-zacopride (1.0-100 nM; administered via the microdialysis probe) induced a concentration-dependent reduction in extracellular levels of 5-HT in the rat frontal cortex (approximately 70% maximal reduction). 5. In contrast to ondansetron (100 micrograms kg-1, i.p.), (S)-zacopride (10-100 micrograms kg-1, i.p.) dose-dependently reversed the (R)-zacopride (10 micrograms kg-1, i.p.) induced reduction in extracellular levels of 5-HT in the rat frontal cortex. The highest dose of (S)-zacopride (100 micrograms kg-1, i.p.) completely prevented the (R)-zacopride response.In addition, (S)-zacopride (100 nM; administered via the microdialysis probe) attenuated the inhibitory action of (R)-zacopride (10 nM; administered via the microdialysis probe) on extracellular levels of 5-HT in the rat frontal cortex.6. In conclusion, the present study provides further evidence of the ability of diazepam, 8-OH-DPAT and buspirone to reduce the activity of the central 5-hydroxytryptaminergic system in vivo. Furthermore,the results indicate that the ability of (R)-zacopride to reduce the in vivo release of 5-HT in the rat frontal cortex does not correlate with its 5-HT3 receptor antagonism. However, the differential affinity of (R)- and (S)-zacopride for a (S)-zacopride-insensitive (R)-zacopride site in rat cerebral cortex mirrors the relative activity of the two zacopride stereoisomers to modify the in vivo release of 5-HT in the frontal cortex of the rat and their ability to release suppressed behaviour in animal models of anxiety.

The mouse black and white test box was used to measure changes in behaviour in an aversive situation where the administration of R(+)-zacopride (but not S(-)-zacopride) alone decreased aversive responding to the white area. A similar anxiolytic profile of action was observed using parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA), whose effects were antagonised by a co-treatment with R(+)-zacopride and reversed by S(-)-zacopride to an exacerbation of the aversive response. An anxiolytic profile of action was also observed using ondansetron, granisetron, chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, ritanserin, 8-OH-DPAT (8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin), E4424 (2-[4-[4-(4-chloro-l-pyrazoyl)butyl]-l-piperazinyl]-pyrimidine), umepsirone, DuP753 (2-n-butyl-4-chloro-5-hydroxy-methyl-1-[2(1H-tetrazol-5-yl) biphenyl-4-yl)methyl)]-imidazole), SQ29,852 ((S)-1-[6-amino-2[hydroxy)(4-phenyl-butyl)phosphinyl]-oxy)-1- nexy]-2-proline), devazepide and guanfacine, and this was retained following co-treatment with PCPA. The anxiolytic profile of action of PCPA was also retained following co-treatment with renzapride which when administered alone failed to modify behaviour. However, the ability of chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, ondansetron and E4424 (but not devazepide, DuP753 or SQ29,852) to reduce aversive responding was inhibited by co-treatment with R(+) and/or S(-)-zacopride. It is concluded that the reduction in aversive responding caused by pharmacological manipulation at the benzodiazepine, 5-HT receptor subtypes 5-HT1A, 5-HT1C/5-HT2 and 5-HT3 (but not at the cholecystokin CCKA or angiotensin receptors or inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme) can be inhibited by R(+) and S(-)-zacopride. The data is discussed in terms of zacopride having an agonist or partial agonist effect at the 5-HT3 receptor.

The interaction of R(+)- and S(-)zacopride (0.00001-10 mg/kg i.p.) with parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA, 3 day treatment 100 mg/kg i.p.) to modify behaviour in an aversive situation was investigated in the mouse black and white test box and rat social interaction test. R(+)-Zacopride (but not S(-)zacopride) and PCPA had an anxiolytic profile of action to reduce aversive responding in both species. Their established anxiolytic profiles were abolished by a subsequent treatment with S(-)zacopride. In contrast, S(-)-zacopride was less or ineffective if administered simultaneously with R(+)-zacopride. A co-treatment of PCPA with R(+)-zacopride also inhibited the anxiolytic profiles observed to the individual treatments. It is concluded that there is a complex interaction between the isomers of zacopride to modify responding to an aversive situation that is dependent on the temporal sequence of drug administration, and which may be modified by changes in basal 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) tone and agonist, partial agonist and antagonist effects at the 5-HT3 receptor.

E-4424 (2-(4-[4-(4-chloro-1-pyrazolyl)butyl]-1-piperazinyl)pyrimidine) was shown to be a 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptor ligand in radioligand binding assays and in an in vitro guinea pig ileum preparation had both 5-hydroxytryptamine1A antagonist and agonist effects. The antagonist/agonist ratio of E-4424 was greater than in the case of buspirone and ipsapirone. E-4424 was compared to diazepam, buspirone and ipsapirone to inhibit the behavioral response to an aversive situation in the mouse black and white test box, the rat social interaction test and a marmoset human threat test. The acute administration of E-4424 (0.0001-0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) to the mouse decreased aversion to the white area of the test box and was as effective as diazepam (0.125-1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) and much more potent than buspirone (0.25-1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) or ipsapirone (0.5-5.0 mg/kg, i.p.). E-4424 was also effective in enhancing rat social interaction and reducing anxiety-related behaviors in the marmoset and was again more potent than diazepam, buspirone or ipsapirone. Withdrawal from a 14-day administration of diazepam, cocaine, nicotine or alcohol exacerbated the response to the aversive situation in the mouse test. This was not observed after withdrawal from a chronic treatment with E-4424, buspirone or ipsapirone. However, E-4424 administered during drug withdrawal prevented the response caused by withdrawal from cocaine, alcohol, nicotine and diazepam: buspirone was ineffective and ipsapirone only attenuated that syndrome after alcohol withdrawal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The cognitive-enhancing potential of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, ondansetron, was investigated in a model of cognitive impairment induced by the muscarinic receptor antagonist, scopolamine. For this purpose, marmosets were trained in an object discrimination task utilizing the Wisconsin General Test Apparatus. Administration of scopolamine (0.01-0.04 mg/kg, SC) caused a dose-dependent impairment in the acquisition of the object discrimination task in that marmosets required more trials to reach criterion, made more errors, and took longer to choose the objects. Administration of arecoline (0.06-0.1 mg/kg, SC) or 1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-9-methyl-3-[(2-methyl-1H-imidazol- 1-yl)methyl]-4H-carbazol-4-one,HCl.2H2O (ondansetron) (0.1-1 micrograms/kg, SC) prevented the scopolamine-induced impairment in task acquisition in that the performance of marmosets was indistinguishable from that of saline-treated animals and was significantly better than that following scopolamine/saline. From these studies, we conclude that ondansetron prevents impairment in the cognitive performance of marmosets induced by administration of scopolamine.

The 5-HT3 receptor antagonists such as ondansetron have been shown to have anxiolytic-like activity in a wide range of preclinical tests: in the mouse black: white test, the rat social interaction test, the rat elevated X-maze and the marmoset human threat test. Ondansetron, like other 5-HT3 receptor antagonists appears to have important advantages over existing anxiolytic therapies. Thus, the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists are not sedative, they do not have addictive liabilities, there are no problems of withdrawing from chronic treatment and they can be used following benzodiazepine withdrawal. Such compounds even inhibit the behavioural syndrome associated with withdrawal from drugs of abuse, nicotine, alcohol, cocaine, opiates. The preclinical data, therefore, indicates the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists as novel anxiolytics of the future, and there is new clinical work in support of this suggestion.

5-HT3 receptors or recognition sites have been located in the brain of many animal species and man, and are considered to mediate an increase in cation conductance. The functional relevance of the central 5-HT3 receptors is being established using selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ligands, which have been shown to modify behaviour in animal tests that is predictive of an action to reduce anxiety, schizophrenia and cognitive disorders. A remarkable feature of the effect of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists is their ability and potency to control a disturbed behaviour in the absence of effect on normal behaviour. This reveals an important role for 5-HT in different behaviours: indeed, the breadth of action of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists may be indicative of the critical importance of 5-HT in the control of catecholaminergic, cholinergic and peptidergic systems throughout the forebrain. Precisely how such effects are achieved remains a significant investigative challenge, with the potential for novel therapeutic developments being a major goal.

The 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, ondansetron, was administered to marmosets to determine its effect on their performance in a Wisconsin General Test Apparatus using an object discrimination reversal learning task. Briefly, this comprised a test situation in which marmosets were required to select a food rewarded object to reach criterion in performance (this was termed the initial discrimination task); the rewarded object was then changed (in the same test session) and the marmoset was required to abandon its recently learned strategy to gain reward by selection of the second object (this was termed the reversal task). At doses of 1-10 ng/kg SC b.i.d. ondansetron improved performance in both the initial discrimination and reversal tasks. This was indicated as a reduction in the number of trials required to reach criterion, a reduction in choice latency time and a reduction in the number of errors made in each test session. Higher doses of ondansetron impaired performance as measured by several criteria. The major conclusion of this study is, therefore, that ondansetron at low doses is able to improve the performance of marmosets in a cognitive task. This would support the concept that a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist can act as a cognitive enhancer.

R(+)- and S(-)-zacopride were assessed as potential 5-HT3 receptor antagonists in behavioural and biochemical tests. The S(-)isomer was more potent than the R(+)isomer to antagonise the hyperactivity induced by the injection of amphetamine or the infusion of dopamine into the nucleus accumbens in the rat. In contrast, the R(+)isomer was more potent to reduce the aversive behaviour of mice to a brightly illuminated environment and in a marmoset human threat test, to facilitate social interaction in rats, to increase performance in a mouse habituation test and prevent a scopolamine-induced impairment, and to antagonise the inhibitory effect of 2-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine to reduce [3H]acetylcholine release in slices of the rat entorhinal cortex. In binding assays, [3H]S(-)-zacopride and [3H]R(+)-zacopride labelled homogenous populations of high-affinity binding sites in the rat entorhinal cortex, R(+)-zacopride compete for a further 10 to 20% of the binding of [3H]R(+)/S(-)-zacopride or [3H]R(+)-zacopride in excess of that competed for by (S)(-)-zacopride. It is concluded that both isomers of zacopride have potent but different pharmacological activities, with the possibility of different recognition sites to mediate their effects.

The pharmacological characterisation and topographical distribution of [3H]-(S)-zacopride recognition sites in the forebrain of the rat was studied using homogenate and autoradiographic radioligand binding techniques. [3H]-(S)-Zacopride labelled a single, saturable, specific binding site (defined by 10.0 microM granisetron) in homogenates prepared from the entorhinal cortex of the rat (pKD = 9.51 +/- 0.08; Bmax = 104 +/- 7 fmol mg-1 protein; mean +/- SEM, n = 8). Pharmacological characterisation of the recognition site, within the entorhinal cortex, suggested that [3H]-(S)-zacopride selectively labelled the recognition site of the 5-HT3 receptor. Specific binding of [3H]-(S)-zacopride (defined by 1.0 microM granisetron) was differentially distributed throughout the forebrain of the rat; highest densities were located within sub-nuclei of the amygdala (cortical amygdaloid nucleus, amygdalohippocampal area, posterior medial cortical amygdaloid nucleus, posterior lateral amygdaloid nucleus), cortical areas (primary olfactory cortex, entorhinal cortex) and hippocampus. Non-specific binding was distributed homogeneously, although lower in myelinated structures. It is concluded that [3H]-(S)-zacopride selectively labels 5-HT3 receptor recognition sites within the forebrain of the rat; the topographical distribution of these sites, within the limbic nuclei, is consistent with the behavioural actions in animal models of the selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists.

The 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, ICS205-930, granisetron and zacopride, at low doses, inhibited the hyperactivity caused by a 13 day mesolimbic dopamine infusion in the rat. The antagonism decreased with the use of higher doses of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. The ability of low doses of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists to inhibit dopamine-induced behavioural changes is similar to the inhibitory profile of known antipsychotic agents. It is suggested that 5-HT3 receptor antagonists may represent a new class of atypical antipsychotic agents.

The cerebral site of action of the selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron to influence the behavioural consequences of withdrawal from subchronic treatment with diazepam, ethanol, nicotine or cocaine was studied in the light/dark exploration test in the mouse. The aversive response to the light compartment of the test box was reduced during a subchronic treatment with peripherally administered diazepam, ethanol, nicotine and cocaine, but was exacerbated following withdrawal from the 4 treatments. The behavioural consequences of withdrawal from diazepam (10 mg/kg IP b.i.d. 14 days), ethanol (8%/w/v drinking water for 14 days), nicotine (0.1 mg/kg IP b.i.d. 14 days) or cocaine (1.0 mg/kg IP b.i.d. 14 days) were antagonised by ondansetron injected into the amygdala and dorsal raphe nucleus (1-10 ng); injections of ondansetron (10 ng) into the median raphe nucleus, the nucleus accumbens and striatum were ineffective. It is concluded that the amygdala and dorsal raphe nucleus may be sites of action for ondansetron to antagonise the aversive behaviour caused by withdrawal from 4 common drugs of abuse in a mouse model, and that 5-HT projections from the dorsal raphe nucleus may be involved in aversive behaviour.

The selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, onansetron, has been assessed in three tests of cognition in the mouse, rat and marmoset. In a habituation test in the mouse, ondansetron facilitated performance in young adult and aged animals, and inhibited an impairment in habituation induced by scopolamine, electrolesions or ibotenic acid lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis. Arecoline failed to improve basal performance in young adult mice but inhibited the impairment caused by scopolamine and lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis. In the T-maze reinforced alternation task in rats, ondansetron and arecoline antagonised a scopolamine-induced impairment. In an object discrimination and reversal learning task in the marmoset, assessed using a Wisconsin General Test Apparatus, ondansetron improved performance in a reversal learning task. We conclude that ondansetron potently improves basal performance in rodent and primate tests of cognition and inhibits the impairments in performance caused by cholinergic deficits.

ORG 5222 is a tetracyclic compound with high affinity for dopamine and 5-HT2 receptors. ORG 5222 was compared to fluphenazine in behavioural tests and was shown to be less potent to cause catalepsy on peripheral administration or to induce asymmetric body posturing following intrastriatal injection. On injection into the nucleus accumbens, ORG 5222 antagonised spontaneous and amphetamine-induced hyperactivity. The peripheral administration of ORG 5222 antagonised the hyperactivity induced by infusion of dopamine into the nucleus accumbens of rat or ventral striatum of the marmoset and, unlike the use of fluphenazine, there was no evidence of a 'rebound' hyperactivity after discontinuation of treatment. Furthermore, ORG 5222 prevented changes in responsiveness to dopamine agonist challenge following dopamine infusion. In a mouse black and white test box and the rat elevated plus maze ORG 5222 released exploratory behaviour suppressed by the aversive white or elevated environments. It is concluded that ORG 5222 is effective to antagonise mesolimbic dopamine function in the rodent and primate and an aversive behaviour in rodent tests. Such effects reveal a novel profile of action of ORG 5222 in behavioural paradigms predictive of antipsychotic and anxiolytic potential and may relate to a dopamine and 5-HT receptor antagonism.

The racemate and (+)- and (-)-isomers of fenfluramine (5 mg kg-1 i.p., 1 h pretreatment) antagonized cisplatin-induced retching and vomiting in the ferret. The intravenous injection of (+/-)-fenfluramine administered on an established cisplatin-induced emesis antagonized the response within minutes of injection. The administration of a lower dose of (+/-)-fenfluramine (1.0 mg kg-1 i.p., 1 h pretreatment) failed to antagonize cisplatin-induced emesis when administered alone but enhanced the antiemetic effects of metoclopramide and ICS 205-930. This pretreatment with (+/-)-fenfluramine failed to enhance the antiemetic effects of zacopride. It is considered that an action of the racemate on presynaptic 5-HT/catecholaminergic systems to reduce neurotransmitter release may enhance the action of certain 5-HT3 receptor antagonists in controlling emesis induced by cisplatin.

The review presents evidence that 5-HT3 receptors within the brain may contribute to the control of behavior. 5-HT3 receptor antagonists GR38032F, zacopride, ICS 205-930 and other agents are very potent in reducing mesolimbic dopamine hyperactivity caused by the injection of amphetamine or infusion of dopamine into the rat nucleus accumbens and amygdala, and the ventral striatum of the marmoset. Such actions are distinguished from those of neuroleptic agents by a failure to reduce normal levels of activity or to induce a rebound hyperactivity after discontinuation of treatment. Indeed, the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists can prevent the neuroleptic-induced rebound hyperactivity. Further evidence that 5-HT3 receptors moderate limbic dopamine function is shown by their ability to reduce both the behavioral hyperactivity and changes in limbic dopamine metabolism caused by DiMe-C7 injection into the ventral tegmental area. The 5-HT3 receptor antagonists also have an anxiolytic profile in the social interaction test in the rat, the light/dark exploration test in the mouse, the marmoset human threat test and behavioral observations in the cynomolgus monkey. They differ from the benzodiazepines by an absence of effect in the rat water lick conflict test and a withdrawal syndrome. Importantly, the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists are highly effective to prevent the behavioral syndrome following withdrawal from treatment with diazepam, nicotine, cocaine and alcohol. Intracerebral injection techniques in the mouse indicate that the dorsal raphe nucleus and amygdala may be important sites of 5-HT3 receptor antagonist action to inhibit aversive behavior. Studies with GR38032F indicate an additional effect in reducing alcohol consumption in the marmoset. The identification and distribution of 5-HT3 receptors in the brain using a number of 5-HT3 receptor ligands, [3H]65630, [3H]zacopride and [3H]ICS 205-930 correlates between studies, and the 5-HT3 recognition sites in cortical, limbic and other areas meet the criteria for 5-HT3 receptors to mediate the above behavioral effects. Thus the use of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists reveals an important role for 5-hydroxytryptamine in the control of disturbed behavior in the absence of effect on normal behavior. The profile of action of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists has generated a major clinical interest in their potential use for schizophrenia, anxiety and in the control of drug abuse.

Contractions induced by electrical field stimulation of isolated circular muscle strips, taken from the guinea-pig stomach, were enhanced by metoclopramide, ICS 205-930 and MDL 72222 at concentrations similar to those shown to antagonize at neuronal 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor sites in a variety of preparations. Metoclopramide, MDL 72222 and ICS 205-930 also facilitated gastric emptying in-vivo. The abilities of metoclopramide, MDL 72222 and ICS 205-930 to enhance stomach muscle contraction processes and to facilitate gastric emptying may be the consequence of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonism.

The effects of GR38032F a novel, selective and potent 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT3)-receptor antagonist on gastric emptying in the guinea-pig were investigated and compared to those of metoclopramide and haloperidol. Both GR38032F and metoclopramide increased gastric emptying in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, haloperidol was ineffective. GR38032F was about 200 times more potent than metoclopramide in enhancing gastric emptying over the 2 h period studied.

GR38032F is a highly selective 5HT3-receptor antagonist which inhibits vomiting induced by cisplatin, cyclophosphamide or X-radiation in the ferret. Since cisplatin selectively increased the levels of 5HT and 5HIAA in the intestinal mucosa, a possible site of the antiemetic action of GR38032F may be on 5HT3-receptors on vagal afferents in the small intestine. The potent antiemetic action of GR38032F should be of clinical value in reducing the nausea and vomiting associated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy of cancer.

Zacopride, a substituted benzamide derivative, was compared with diazepam in three models of experimental or provoked anxiety. The drug's action (i) in reducing aversion to a brightly lit environment was assessed in mice using a two compartment black and white test box system, (ii) in disinhibiting a suppressed behaviour was measured in the rat social interaction test under high light/unfamiliar conditions and (iii) in antagonizing a defensive response in the marmoset was assessed using the threat of a human presence. Both zacopride and diazepam enhanced exploratory behaviour and social interaction in the mouse and rat models and antagonized the defensive response in the marmoset, zacopride being 100 times more potent than diazepam. It is concluded that the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, zacopride, alters rodent and primate behaviour in a manner consistent with that of an anxiolytic agent.

Contractions induced by electrical field stimulation of guinea-pig ileum longitudinal muscle strips were enhanced by metoclopramide and ICS 205-930 at concentrations similar to those required to antagonize at 5-hydroxytryptamine 'M' receptors. The enhancement of contraction was observed in intact ileum strips but was not recorded in the longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus preparation or from the ileum with the mucosal layer removed. It is concluded that an intact mucosal layer is required for metoclopramide and ICS 205-930 to enhance electrical field stimulation-induced contractions of the guinea-pig ileum.

1 The ability of the selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist GR38032F to reduce raised mesolimbic dopaminergic activity was studied in behavioural experiments in the rat and marmoset. 2 GR38032F injected into the nucleus accumbens (0.01-1 ng) or peripherally (0.01-1 mg kg-1 i.p.) inhibited the locomotor hyperactivity caused by the acute intra-accumbens injection of amphetamine (10 micrograms) in the rat. Similar treatments with sulpiride and fluphenazine also inhibited the amphetamine-induced hyperactivity. 3 The peripheral administration of GR38032F (0.001-0.1 mg kg-1 i.p., b.d.) during a 13 day period of dopamine infusion (25 micrograms 24 h-1) into the nucleus accumbens of the rat reduced the dopamine-induced hyperactivity response to control (vehicle infused) levels. Locomotor activity remained at control levels after discontinuing the dopamine/GR38032F treatment regimen. 4 The hyperactivity caused by the infusion of dopamine into the rat nucleus accumbens was also inhibited by fluphenazine (0.01-0.05 mg kg-1 i.p., b.d.), but locomotor activity was suppressed to levels below control values and a rebound hyperactivity occurred after discontinuation of the dopamine/fluphenazine treatment regimen. 5 The discontinuation of a concomitant 13 day intra-accumbens infusion of dopamine with haloperidol, 0.01 mg kg-1 i.p.t.d.s., caused a rebound hyperactivity. This hyperactivity was suppressed by GR38032F (0.001-0.1 mg kg-1 i.p.). 6 The unilateral infusion of dopamine (25 micrograms 24 h-1, 13 days) into the left amygdala of rats having right hemispheric dominance (as measured in a turn preference test) caused locomotor hyperactivity. Intraperitoneal administration of GR38032F (0.1-100 micrograms kg-1) or fluphenazine (0.025-0.1 mg kg-1), and the intra-amygdaloid injection of GR38032F (0.1-100 ng) or fluphenazine (25-500 pg), either into the infused or non-infused side, inhibited the dopamine-induced locomotor hyperactivity. 7 Marmosets receiving bilaterial infusions of dopamine (25 micrograms 24 h-1 for 13 days) into the nucleus accumbens also exhibited increased locomotor activity, GR38032F (0.1-1.0 micrograms kg-1 t.d.s.), reduced the hyperactivity to control levels with no rebound hyperactivity following the discontinuation of the dopamine/GR38032F treatment regimen. Fluphenazine (0.01-2.5 mg kg-1 i.p., t.d.s.) also inhibited the hyperactivity, but locomotor activity was reduced to values below control levels and a rebound hyperactivity followed the discontinuation of the dopamine/fluphenazine treatment. 8. It is concluded that the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist GR38032F, and the neuroleptic agents fluphenazine, sulpiride and haloperidol, can reduce raised mesolimbic dopaminergic activity in the rat and marmoset. GR38032F is distinguished from the dopamine receptor antagonists by, firstly, its ability to return the hyperactivity response to control values, without excessive suppression of locomotion even on enhanced dosage regimes and, secondly, by the lack of rebound hyperactivity following abrupt discontinuation of its treatment.

The substituted benzamide derivative zacopride was found to antagonize competitively the effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on the guinea-pig ileum, the rabbit vagus nerve and the von Bezold Jarisch reflex in the rat. The potency of zacopride was comparable with that of ICS 205-930 and it is concluded that zacopride possesses 5-HT3 receptor antagonizing properties.

1. The cerebral topography of the action of diazepam and the action of the 5-hydroxytryptamine 5-HT3 receptor antagonists GR38032F and ICS 205-930 in attenuating an aversive response was studied in the mouse. 2. Mice which had been cannulated to allow drug injection into the dorsal and median raphe nuclei, the amygdala, nucleus accumbens or caudate-putamen were placed in a two compartment black (dimly illuminated) and white (brightly illuminated) test box. Measurements were made of the time spent, rearing and line crossings in the two sections and the latency of initial movement from the white to the black area. 3. The injection of diazepam (0.1-10 ng), GR38032F (0.01-1.0 ng) and ICS 205-930 (1.0-10 ng) into the dorsal raphe nucleus and amygdala, and the injection of diazepam (0.1-10 ng) into the median raphe nucleus, reduced an aversive response to the brightly illuminated white area, delaying the initial movement into the black section and increasing the time spent, rearings and line crossings in the white area. Concomitantly such activities were decreased in the black section. 4. The injection of the 5-HT3 agonist 2-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (0.1-10 ng) into the dorsal raphe nucleus and amygdala caused the opposite response, decreasing the time taken to move into the black section and increasing the time spent, rearings and line crossings in the black section, decreasing such activities in the white area. 5. The 5-HT3 agonist and antagonists showed little or no effect following injection into the median raphe nucleus and there were no changes in exploratory behaviour following their injection, or injection of diazepam, into the nucleus accumbens or caudate-putamen. 6. It is concluded that in the mouse the cerebral topography of action of GR38032F and ICS 205-930 in attenuating an aversive response follows that of diazepam in the dorsal raphe nucleus and amygdala but that diazepam may have additional effects mediated via the median raphe nucleus.

Using rat and mouse models of aversive behaviour, we have further investigated the properties of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron (GR38032F) that are relevant to its proposed use as an anxiolytic agent. Tolerance to the disinhibitory properties of diazepam was readily demonstrated in the social interaction test in the rat, but did not occur after subchronic treatment with ondansetron. In both the light/dark exploration test in mice and the social interaction test in rats, withdrawal from subchronic treatment with diazepam increased behavioural suppression, whereas this was not observed with ondansetron. The behavioural suppression and weight loss induced by either the withdrawal of diazepam or the administration of the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, flumazenil, in animals treated subchronically with diazepam, was prevented or antagonised by diazepam or ondansetron. Buspirone was ineffective. It is concluded that, in rats and mice, tolerance to the disinhibitory effects of ondansetron does not occur, that withdrawal from subchronic treatment with ondansetron is not associated with any behavioural disturbances and that ondansetron is highly effective in preventing the behavioural suppression and weight loss following withdrawal from subchronic diazepam treatment. These data suggest that ondansetron may have major therapeutic advantages over currently available anxiolytic agents, particularly in patients who have previously received prolonged benzodiazepine therapy.

[3H]Zacopride displayed saturable binding to homogenates of the rat entorhinal cortex as measured by the inclusion of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist BRL43694 in the incubation media. Scatchard analysis indicated a single high affinity binding site (KD 0.76 +/- 0.08 nM, Bmax 77.5 +/- 6.5 fmol (mg protein)-1) with a Hill slope close to unity. Other 5-HT3 receptor antagonists (zacopride, ICS 205-930, GR38032F, GR65630, metoclopramide and cocaine) also competed for the binding site displacing 60% of the total [3H]zacopride binding. 5-HT and 2-methyl-5-HT also were competitive antagonists for [3H]zacopride binding whereas 5-HT1/5-HT2 agonists and antagonists, and agents acting on other neurotransmitter receptors had Ki values greater than 10(-5) M. It is concluded that [3H]zacopride may prove a useful ligand for the study of 5-HT3 recognition sites.