Behavioural, Neurochemical and Discriminative Stimulus Effects of Spiroxatrine, a Putative 5–HT1A Receptor Antagonist

The discovery of clinically effective non–benzodiazepine anxiolytic compounds such as buspirone has propted a renewed interest in the role of serotonin (5–HT) in anxiety and in the development of suitable animal models for detecting such compounds. Several studies employing behavioural, neurochemical and neuropharmacological procedures have suggested that compounds such as buspirone act through a subtype of serotonin receptor designated as a 5–HT_1A site (Cunningham, Callahan & Appel, 1987; Glennon, 1987; Mansbach & Barrett, 1987; Peroutka, 1986; Spencer & Traber, 1987). Compounds active at these sites have been described as 5–HT_1A agonists (e.g. 8–OH–DPAT).