Possible serotonin-agonist action of veratramine

Veratramine produces a characteristic excitatory action on the central nervous system, producing both tremor and a characteristic "struggling" behavior. This behavioral excitation is accompanied by changes in serotonin content in hypothalamus. The central serotonin agonist methysergide in doses of 5--15 mg per kg produces a dose-dependent inhibition of veratramine's action, while parachlorophenylalanine has no effect. These results are consistent with a serotonin agonist mechanism to explain veratramine's action.