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(−)-Propranolol inhibits the behavioural responses of rats to increased 5-hydroxytryptamine in the central nervous system

Abstract

THERE are now several reports of the beneficial effect of large doses of (±)-propranolol in the treatment of various psychoses, particularly schizophrenia1–3. These reports prompted us to investigate whether propranolol had any effect on the behavioural syndrome produced in rats by increasing the functional activity of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) or dopamine (DA) in the central nervous system. Our results indicate that large doses of (−)-propranolol but not (+)-propranolol inhibit the behavioural responses resulting from increased functional activity of central 5-HT but not DA.

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GREEN, A., GRAHAME-SMITH, D. (−)-Propranolol inhibits the behavioural responses of rats to increased 5-hydroxytryptamine in the central nervous system. Nature 262, 594–596 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/262594a0

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