Buspirone decreases the activity of 5-hydroxytryptamine-containing dorsal raphe neurons in-vitro

Buspirone, a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic agent, produced a dose-dependent decrease in the activity of 5-HT-containing dorsal raphe neurons recorded from mouse brain slices. The response was not changed in a low calcium/high magnesium incubation medium, indicating that the observed effects were the result of a direct action of buspirone on raphe neurons. These data are discussed within the context of the anxiolytic effects of buspirone.