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Effect of Administration of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide on Serotonin-Levels in the Body

Nature 191, 499–500 (1961) | Download Citation

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Abstract

IN a previous publication1, we have suggested that some of the effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may be mediated through its effect on the serotonin content of brain. Brodie and his associates2 have previously reported that LSD—and also some other drugs—do not release serotonin as reserpine does. However, Freedman3 has recently reported slightly raised levels of serotonin in the whole brain of rats treated with LSD. Using animals which had been given reserpine, they found a twofold increase of brain serotonin in rats treated with LSD over the controls receiving reserpine alone. The whole brain serotonin may not be a true indication of the action of a psychopharmacological agent. Thus Vogt and her associates4 have reported different effects of LSD and serotonin in different areas of the brain after intraventricular injection.

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References

  1. 1

    Siva Sankar, D. V., and Bender, L., in Recent Progress in Biological Psychiatry, edit. by Wortis, J., 363 (Grune and Stratton, New York, 1960).

    • 2

      Carlsson, A., Shore, P. A., and Brodie, B., J. Pharmacol. and Exp. Therap., 120, 334 (1957).

    • 3

      Freedman, D. X., Fed. Proc., 19, 266 (1960).

    • 4

      Vogt, M., Gunn, C. G., and Sawyer, C. H., Neurology, 7, 559 (1957).

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    1. Biochemical Research Laboratory, Children's Unit, Creedmoor State Hospital, Jamaica, 27, New York

      • D. V. SIVA SANKAR
      • , D. BARBARA SANKAR
      • , EDWARD PHIPPS
      •  & ELEANOR GOLD

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    https://doi.org/10.1038/191499a0

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