• DOI:10.1007/BF00401509
• Corpus ID: 3148623

A possible correlation between drug-induced hallucinations in man and a behavioural response in mice

@article{Corne2004APC,
  title={A possible correlation between drug-induced hallucinations in man and a behavioural response in mice},
  author={S. J. Corne and Raymond W. Pickering},
  journal={Psychopharmacologia},
  year={2004},
  volume={11},
  pages={65-78}
}

• S. Corne, R. Pickering
• Published 2004
• Biology, Psychology, Medicine
• Psychopharmacologia

SummaryThe production of head-twitches in mice appears to be a suitable laboratory test for predicting whether a compound is likely to be hallucinogenic in man. This is based on the following findings:1.With the exception of acetyl-lysergic acid diethylamide and nalorphine, hallucinogenic drugs induced head-twitches in mice.2.Chemically related compounds which are not hallucinogenic did not induce head-twitches with the exception of 5-HTP, ergometrine, α-ethylmescaline and DMPE. It is suggested that these 4 drugs might produce hallucinations if they were given in high enough doses.3.There is a good correlation between drug-induced hallucinations in man and drug-induced head-twitches in mice in terms of dose/kg.4.Chlorpromazine, haloperidol, tetrahydroaminacrine and monoamine-oxidase inhibitors can antagonize hallucinations in man. These same compounds antagonised head-twitches induced in mice by the appropriate hallucinogens.5.Cross-tolerance has been demonstrated between LSD and mescaline LSD and psilocybin and LSD and DMT in man. Mescaline, psilocybin and DMT also antagonised LSD-induced head-twitches in mice.
A potent antiserotonin, methysergide, antagonised the head-twitches induced by a wide variety of chemically different hallucinogens. This gives support to the idea that hallucinogens may act by mimicking, releasing or potentiating serotonin centrally.