Effects of 5-HT2A receptor stimulation on the discrimination of durations by rats

Behav Pharmacol. 2006 Feb;17(1):51-9. doi: 10.1097/01.fbp.0000189810.69425.89.

Abstract

We recently found that rats' ability to discriminate durations of exteroceptive stimuli is disrupted by the non-selective 5-HT receptor agonist quipazine. Ketanserin reversed this effect, suggesting that the effect may be mediated by 5-HT2A receptors. Here, we report that the 5-HT2A/2C receptor agonist 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) also disrupts temporal discrimination, and that this effect can be reversed by ketanserin and the highly selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist (+/-)2,3-dimethoxyphenyl-1-[2-(4-piperidine)-methanol] (MDL-100907). Twenty rats were trained to discriminate durations in a discrete-trials psychophysical procedure. In each 50-s trial, a light was presented for t seconds, following which two levers (A and B) were presented. A response on A was reinforced if t < 25 s, and a response on B if t > 25 s. Logistic psychometric curves were fitted to the proportional choice of B (%B) for derivation of timing indices [T50: time corresponding to %B = 50; Weber fraction: (T75-T25)/2T50, where T75 and T25 are times corresponding to %B = 75 and 25, respectively]. DOI 0.25 mg kg (subcutaneous) significantly increased the Weber fraction and tended to increase T50. Ketanserin 2 mg kg (subcutaneous) did not alter either parameter, but completely antagonized the effects of DOI. Similarly, MDL-100907 0.5 and 1 mg kg (intraperitoneal) did not affect performance, but completely antagonized the effects of DOI. The results indicate that the mixed 5-HT2A/2C receptor agonist DOI disrupts temporal discrimination via stimulation of 5-HT2A receptors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amphetamines / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Amphetamines / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Association Learning / drug effects
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Discrimination Learning / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Fluorobenzenes / pharmacology*
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Ketanserin / pharmacology*
  • Piperidines / pharmacology*
  • Psychophysics
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A / drug effects*
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C / drug effects
  • Serotonin Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists / pharmacology*
  • Time Perception / drug effects*

Substances

  • Amphetamines
  • Fluorobenzenes
  • Piperidines
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C
  • Serotonin Antagonists
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists
  • Ketanserin
  • volinanserin
  • 4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenylisopropylamine