mdl-100907 and Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder

Preliminary clinical findings, supported by preclinical studies employing behavioral paradigms such as marble burying, suggest that psilocybin may be effective in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, the receptor mechanisms implicated in the putative anti-obsessional effect are not clear. On this background, we set out to explore (1) the role of serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) and serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptors in the effect of psilocybin on marble burying; (2) the effect of staggered versus bolus psilocybin administration and persistence of the effect; (3) the effect of the 5-HT1A partial agonist, buspirone, on marble-burying and the head twitch response (HTR) induced by psilocybin, a rodent correlate of psychedelic effects. Male ICR mice were administered psilocybin 4.4 mg/kg, escitalopram 5 mg/kg, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) 2 mg/kg, M100907 2 mg/kg, buspirone 5 mg/kg, WAY100635 2 mg/kg or combinations, intraperitoneally, and were tested on the marble burying test. HTR was examined in a magnetometer-based assay. The results show that (1) Psilocybin and escitalopram significantly reduced marble burying. The effect of psilocybin was not attenuated by the 5-HT2A antagonist, M100907. The 5-HT1A agonist, 8-OH-DPAT, reduced marble burying as did the 5-HT1A partial agonist, buspirone. The effect of 8-OH-DPAT was additive to that of psilocybin, but that of buspirone was not. The 5-HT1A antagonist, WAY100635, attenuated the effect of 8-OH-DPAT and buspirone but not the effect of psilocybin. (2) Psilocybin injections over 3.5 h had no effect on marble burying and the effect of bolus injection was not persistent. (3) Co-administration of buspirone with psilocybin blocked its effect on HTR. These data suggest that neither 5-HT2A nor 5-HT1A receptors are pivotally implicated in the effect of psilocybin on marble burying. Co-administration with buspirone may block the psychedelic effects of psilocybin without impeding its anti-obsessional effects.

Topics: 8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin; Animals; Buspirone; Escitalopram; Hallucinogens; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Psilocybin; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A; Serotonin

Perseveration is a characteristic of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Clinically, neuronal activity in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is increased in OCD patients. Successful treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) reduces activity in the lateral OFC of OCD patients, but the precise mechanisms underlying this effect are unclear. Previously, we reported that repeated injection of the dopamine D

Topics: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Disease Models, Animal; Interneurons; Mice; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Prefrontal Cortex; Pyramidal Cells; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C; Reversal Learning; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists; Signal Transduction

There is emerging evidence for a dopamine (DA)-serotonin (5-HT) interaction underlying obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In the quinpirole sensitization rat model of OCD, compulsive checking is induced by chronic treatment with the DA agonist quinpirole, and is attenuated by the 5-HT agonist drug mCPP. However, mCPP has affinity for a number of 5-HT receptor subtypes, and it is unknown by which receptors mCPP exerts its effects on quinpirole-treated animals. The present study tested in rats whether mCPP activity at 5-HT2A/C receptors mediates the attenuation of compulsive checking in quinpirole-treated animals. Rats were chronically treated with quinpirole on the open field for the induction of compulsive checking. Following the induction phase, animals were treated with mCPP (1.25 mg/kg) and the selective 5-HT2A/C receptor antagonist ritanserin (1 mg/kg or 5 mg/kg) to test whether blockade of 5-HT2A/C receptors inhibits attenuation of checking by mCPP. Results showed that as expected, quinpirole induced compulsive checking, and mCPP reduced its performance. However, 5-HT2A/C receptor blockade by ritanserin did not inhibit the attenuation of compulsive checking by mCPP. These results suggest that the reduction in compulsive checking by mCPP is not mediated by activity at 5-HT2A/C receptors, but by another receptor subtype.

Topics: Animals; Compulsive Behavior; Disease Models, Animal; Male; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Piperazines; Quinpirole; Rats; Rats, Long-Evans; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C; Ritanserin; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists; Serotonin Receptor Agonists

The anticompulsive potential of agomelatine, a potent MT1/2 receptor agonist, and its combined effect with m-chlorophenylpiperazine hydrochloride (mCPP), bicuculline, and diazepam, were investigated in male C57BLJ/6 mice using marble-burying behavior (MBB) test. Acute administration of agomelatine (30-40 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)) significantly inhibited the MBB in mice without influencing their locomotor activity. Further, chronic (28 days) administration of lower doses of agomelatine (10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently reduced the MBB without influencing their locomotor activity. Interaction studies revealed that pretreatment with mCPP (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), a serotonin 5HT2C agonist, partially attenuated the anticompulsive effect of agomelatine (30 mg/kg). Further, a GABAA receptor agonist (diazepam, 1.25 mg/kg, i.p.) and antagonist (bicuculline, 1 mg/kg, i.p.) had no influence on the effects of agomelatine on MBB and locomotor activity. The doses of modulators were selected on the basis of dose-response studies. The results indicate that agomelatine has a potent anticompulsive effect that can be attributed to 5HT2C antagonism and MT1/2 agonism, and is certainly not mediated via its effects on the GABAergic system. Thus, the study adds to the growing literature on the psychopharmacological effects of agomelatine, and warrants further exploration in multiple paradigms.

Topics: Acetamides; Animals; Antidepressive Agents; Behavior, Animal; Bicuculline; Diazepam; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Interactions; GABA-A Receptor Agonists; GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Motor Activity; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Piperazines; Receptor, Melatonin, MT1; Receptor, Melatonin, MT2; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists

The serotonergic system is implicated in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, the distinct role of serotonin (5-HT) receptor subtypes remains unclear. This study investigates the contribution of 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors in the modulation of persistence in the reinforced spatial alternation model of OCD.. Male Wistar rats were assessed for spontaneous and pharmacologically induced (by m-chlorophenylpiperazine: mCPP) directional persistence in the reinforced alternation OCD model. Systemic administration of mCPP (non-specific 5-HT agonist, 2.5mg/kg), M100907 (selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, 0.08 mg/kg), SB242084 (selective 5-HT2C receptor antagonist, 0.5 mg/kg) and vehicle was used. Experiment 1 investigated M100907 and SB242084 effects in animals spontaneously exhibiting high and low persistence during the early stages of alternation training. Experiment 2 investigated M100900 and SB242084 effects on mCPP-induced persistence.. Under the regime used in Experiment 1, 5-HT2A or 5-HT2C receptor antagonism did not affect spontaneous directional persistence in either high or low persistence groups. In Experiment 2, 5-HT2C but not 5-HT2A receptor antagonism significantly reduced, but did not abolish, mCPP-induced directional persistence.. These findings suggest that 5-HT2C but not 5-HT2A receptors contribute to the modulation of mCPP-induced persistent behaviour, raising the possibility that the use of 5-HT2C antagonists may have a therapeutic value in OCD.

Topics: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Disease Models, Animal; Male; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C; Reinforcement, Psychology; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists; Serotonin Receptor Agonists

We examined the role of 5-hydroxytryptamine(2C) (5-HT(2C)) receptors in marble-burying behavior in mice. When administered alone, the selective 5-HT(2C) agonist WAY161503 (3 mg/kg) inhibited marble-burying behavior. Moreover, the selective 5-HT(2C) antagonist SB242084 (3 mg/kg) reversed the inhibition of marble-burying behavior by 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) (1 mg/kg) or WAY161503 (3 mg/kg). Similarly, SB242084 (1 mg/kg) reversed the inhibition of marble-burying behavior by fluvoxamine (30 mg/kg) or paroxetine (3 mg/kg). These results suggest that 5-HT(2C) receptors play a role in marble-burying behavior in mice.

Topics: Aminopyridines; Amphetamines; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Fluoxetine; Indoles; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Motor Activity; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Paroxetine; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists

Serotonergic abnormalities are hypothesized to contribute to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This study used positron emission tomography with the radioligand [11C]MDL 100907 to examine whether the distribution of serotonin 2A (5-HT(2A)) receptors is altered in OCD.. Nineteen OCD subjects, free of psychiatric medications and depression, and 19 matched healthy subjects underwent positron emission tomography scans following injection of [11C]MDL 100907. Total distribution volumes were derived by kinetic analysis using the arterial input function. Two measures of 5-HT(2A) availability were computed: the ratio at equilibrium of specifically bound radiotracer either to nondisplaceable radiotracer in tissue (BP(ND)) or to unmetabolized tracer in arterial plasma (BP(p)). Groups were compared using a region of interest (ROI) analysis and voxelwise analysis of spatially normalized parametric maps. ROIs included cortical (orbitofrontal, dorsolateral prefrontal, medial prefrontal, anterior cingulate, temporal, parietal, occipital, and insular cortex) and limbic (entorhinal cortex, parahippocampal gyrus, and medial temporal lobe) regions.. No significant group differences were observed in [11C]MDL 100907 BP(ND) or BP(p) in the ROIs or in the voxelwise analysis of BP(ND) maps. There was a significant correlation in the orbitofrontal cortex between [11C]MDL 100907 binding and age of onset, with earlier age of onset associated with higher binding.. Adults with OCD are not characterized as a group by major changes in 5-HT(2A) availability in cortical or limbic brain regions. Further research is warranted to examine potential differences in 5-HT(2A) availability between early- and late-onset OCD and to assess 5-HT(2A) function in relation to other neurotransmitter systems implicated in OCD.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age of Onset; Female; Fluorobenzenes; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Isotope Labeling; Limbic System; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Piperidines; Positron-Emission Tomography; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Radiopharmaceuticals; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A; Serotonin Antagonists; Young Adult

There are several lines of evidence, the majority indirect, suggesting that changes in serotonergic or dopaminergic neurotransmission may contribute to the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We evaluated the co-occurrence of serotonergic and dopaminergic dysfunctions in OCD subjects, all drug-naive, with no co-morbidity and homogeneous for symptoms. Each subject underwent two positron emission tomography (PET) scans to measure in vivo both serotonin (5-HT(2A)) and dopamine (D(2)) receptor distribution. For this, we used [11C]MDL and [11C]Raclopride, highly selective antagonists of 5-HT(2A) and D(2) receptors, respectively. The comparison with a control group was carried out using both voxel-wise (SPM2) and regions of interest (ROI) approaches. There was a significant reduction of 5-HT(2A) receptor availability in frontal polar, dorsolateral, and medial frontal cortex, as well as in parietal and temporal associative cortex of OCD patients. We also found a significant correlation between 5-HT(2A) receptor availability in orbitofrontal and dorsolateral frontal cortex and clinical severity, suggesting a specific role for serotonin in determining the OCD symptoms. There was also a significant reduction of [11C]Raclopride uptake in the whole striatum, particularly in the ventral portion, possibly reflecting endogenous dopaminergic hyperactivity. The co-existence of serotonergic and dopaminergic dysfunction in the same homogeneous group of drug-naive OCD patients provides in vivo evidence for the complex molecular mechanisms of OCD, and represents the basis for further studies on the effect of therapeutic agents with specific modulatory effects on these neurotransmission systems.

Topics: Adult; Brain; Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A; Receptors, Dopamine D2; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists; Tissue Distribution; Young Adult

Serotonin 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors have been implicated in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and in the mechanism mediating the anti-compulsive effects of serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Yet it is currently unclear whether activation or blockade of these receptors would have an anti-compulsive effect. The present study tested the effects of 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C activation and blockade in the signal attenuation rat model of OCD. In this model, 'compulsive' behaviour is induced by attenuating a signal indicating that a lever-press response was effective in producing food. Experiments1-4 revealed that systemic administration of the 5-HT2C antagonist RS 102221 (2 mg/kg) selectively decreases compulsive lever-pressing, whereas systemic administration of the 5-HT2A antagonist MDL11,939(0.2-5 mg/kg) or of the 5-HT2A/2C agonist DOI (0.05-5 mg/kg) did not have a selective effect on this behaviour. Experiments 5 and 6 found that systemic co-administration of DOI (0.5 mg/kg) withMDL11,939 (1 mg/kg) or with RS 102221 (2 mg/kg) had a non-selective effect on lever-press responding,with the former manipulation increasing and the latter manipulation decreasing lever-pressing. Finally,experiment 7 demonstrated that administration of RS 102221 directly into the orbitofrontal cortex also exerts an anti-compulsive effect. The results of these experiments suggest that blockade of 5-HT2Creceptors may have an anti-compulsive effect in OCD patients, and that this effect may be mediated by5-HT2C receptors within the orbitofrontal cortex.

Topics: Amphetamines; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Compulsive Behavior; Conditioning, Operant; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Combinations; Extinction, Psychological; Male; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Piperidines; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists; Spiro Compounds; Sulfonamides

Excessive self-grooming in animal models of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is regarded as an equivalent of compulsive behaviour in OCD patients. Previous studies have suggested a key modulatory role of certain serotonin2 receptor subtypes both in grooming behaviour and OCD. Certain 5-HT2 receptor agonists were reported to exacerbate symptoms in OCD patients. Here we report that activation of the serotonin2c (5-HT2c) receptor induces self-grooming in rats, which result supports the hypothesis that selective stimulation of central 5-HT2c receptors exacerbates symptoms also in OCD. The present findings may help to understand serotonergic mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders of the obsessive-compulsive spectrum and may progress the development of novel anxiolytic and anti-OCD medications.

Topics: Aminopyridines; Animals; Grooming; Indoles; Male; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Piperazines; Quinolines; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists; Serotonin Antagonists; Serotonin Receptor Agonists

Topics: Antipsychotic Agents; Brain; Dopamine; Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Administration Schedule; Humans; Long-Term Care; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Risk Factors; Risperidone; Serotonin; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists