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Serotonergic modulation of yawning.
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|September 1, 1979
Summary
Selective serotonin uptake inhibitors like Lu 10-171 potentiate physostigmine-induced yawning in rats. This effect is reversed by serotonin receptor blockers, suggesting serotonin modulates yawning.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Yawning is a complex behavior influenced by various neurotransmitters.
- Serotonin's role in yawning is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of selective serotonin uptake inhibitors on physostigmine-induced yawning.
- To explore the involvement of serotonin receptors in this phenomenon.
Main Methods:
- Administering physostigmine to induce yawning in infant and adult rats.
- Testing the effects of Lu 10-171 (a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor) and metergoline (a serotonin receptor antagonist) on physostigmine-induced yawning.
- Observing and quantifying yawning behavior.
Main Results:
- Lu 10-171 significantly potentiated physostigmine-induced yawning.
- Metergoline counteracted the potentiating effect of Lu 10-171.
- Lu 10-171 alone did not induce yawning.
Conclusions:
- Serotonin appears to exert a positive modulatory effect on yawning.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibition enhances yawning.
- Serotonin postsynaptic receptors are involved in mediating this effect.