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Updated: Jul 21, 2026

Assessment of Cocaine-induced Behavioral Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference in Mice
Published on: February 18, 2016
Serotonin(2C) receptors appear to mediate genetic sensitivity to cocaine-induced convulsions
L E O'Dell1, M J Kreifeldt, F R George
1Amethyst Technologies, Inc., 1435 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85257-3773, USA. lauraodell@aol.com
Rationale:
C57BL/6ByJ (6ByJ) and C57BL/6J (6J) mice differ in their sensitivity to cocaine-induced convulsions, with CD(50) values being 100 and 70 mg/kg, respectively. This genetic sensitivity to cocaine-induced convulsions is probably related to 5-HT(2) receptors, since the density of these sites and the concentration of 5-HT(2) antagonists required to block cocaine-induced convulsions is lower in 6J mice relative to 6ByJ mice.
Objective:
Although 5-HT(2) receptors appear to play a role in mediating genetic sensitivity to cocaine-induced convulsions, the role of 5-HT(2) receptor subtypes in this effect of cocaine has not been examined.
Methods:
The present study compared the effects of the preferential 5-HT(2C) agonists m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) and 6-chloro-2-(1-piperazinyl)pyrazine (MK212) on cocaine-induced convulsions in 6ByJ and 6J mice. General activity was also measured following pretreatment with mCPP and MK212.
Results:
Both mCPP and MK212 potentiated cocaine-induced convulsions and the effect of these agonists was more robust in 6ByJ mice relative to 6J mice.
Conclusion:
The findings from this study support previous research suggesting that 5-HT(2) receptors play a role in mediating cocaine-induced convulsions, and extend previous research by suggesting that the 5-HT(2C) receptor subtype mediates cocaine-induced convulsions and genetic sensitivity to this toxic effect of cocaine.
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