Effects of dopaminergic and cholinergic drugs, naloxone and l-prolyl-leucyl-glycinamide on LSD-induced catalepsy

In an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) induced catalepsy, the effects of cholinergic and dopaminergic agents, naloxone and l-propyl-leucyl-glycinamide (PLG) were studied in rats. The dose-dependent (50–500 μg kg−1 s.c.) and time-related cataleptic response elecited by LSD was preceded by a phase of hyperexcitability. The non-hallucinogenic analogue, 2-bromo-LSD (BOL), was without effect. Both apomorphine, the dopamine agonist, and l-DOPA antagonized LSD-induced catalepsy whereas the dopamine depleting agent α-methyl-p-tyrosine (α-MPT) slightly prolonged the cataleptic effect. Cholinergic muscarinic receptor stimulation with pilocarpine antagonized LSD-induced catalepsy. The muscarinic antagonists, atropine and scopolamine, intensified the hyperexcitable phase and potentiated the cataleptic effects of LSD. Nicotine slightly potentiated LSD action but mecamylamine antagonized it. While pre-treatment with naloxone, the narcotic antagonist and PLG prolonged the cataleptic response, post-treatment with naloxone effectively attenuated LSD-induced catalepsy. The behavioural data are interpreted to suggest that LSD-induced catalepsy may be mediated through diminished dopaminergic and cholinergic neuronal activity and under enkephalinergic modulation. The neuroanatomical foci and exact mechanism of action remain to be delineated.