Neuroscience 2004 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 466.8 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | <I>Ayahuasca</I>: Effects of the combination of 5MeODMT and harmaline on exploratory behavior in rats. |
| Authors: |
Buell, M. R.*1
; Lehmann-Masten, V.1
; Geyer, M. A.1
1Psychiatry Dept., Univ. of California, San Diego, CA |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions - Behavioral Pharmacology -- Monoamines and behavior |
| Session: |
466. Monoamines I Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Monday, October 25, 2004 11:00 AM-12:00 PM |
| Location: | San Diego Convention Center - Hall A-H, Board # GGG7 |
| Keywords: | LOCOMOTOR ACTIVITY, MAOI, LSD |
The hallucinogenic tea known as Ayahuasca is made from a combination of psychoactive plants. The plants contribute the active components DMT or 5MeODMT, as well as MAO inhibitors for oral activity. The tea is used by a number of syncretic religions in the Amazon and is a legal ‘sacrament’ in Brazil. Recently a branch of the Uniâo do Vegetal (UDV), a Brazilian syncretic group practicing in New Mexico, was granted the right to use the Ayahuasca sacrament by the U.S. Supreme Court. As a ‘new designer drug’, 5MeODMT has been growing in popularity with the youth drug culture. Using the Behavior Pattern Monitor locomotor paradigm in rats, we examined the effects of these compounds on exploratory behavior. Prior to combining the pharmacological components of the tea, we performed a dose response of the MAOI, harmaline (0, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 mg/kg). Harmaline produced a dose dependent decrease in crossings, holepokes, and rearings while having no effect on spatial d, a measure of the linearity of motor paths. We then selected an inactive dose of 0.1 mg/kg harmaline to test in combination with various doses of 5MeODMT (0, .01, 0.1, and 1.0 mg/kg). The combination produced a novel behavioral profile that did not match any dose of either 5MeODMT or harmaline alone. 5MeODMT decreased crossings, holepokes, and rearings. The combination of 5MeODMT and harmaline did not differ from 5MeODMT alone in effects on holepokes and rearing. In the second half of the hour test, however, the combination of 1.0 mg/kg 5MeODMT and 0.1 mg/kg harmaline increased crossings and decreased spatial d. This behavioral profile resembles that of the complex hallucinogen, LSD. Even higher doses of 5MeODMT failed to produce this LSD-like late hyperactivity. Further studies of MAOI combined with other tryptamines should help to elucidate the mechanisms of action of these effects and may determine if Ayahuasca produces an LSD-like behavioral profile.
Supported by Supported by DA02925
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2004 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2004. Online.
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