5-HT1A receptors in lithium-induced conditioned taste aversion

Experiments were carried out using rats to investigate whether 5-HT1A neural mechanisms are involved in lithium-induced conditioned taste aversion (CTA). We found that the 5-HT1A antagonists p-MPPI and pindolol caused CTA similar to that produced by LiCl. The 5-HT1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT counteracted lithium-induced CTA. Pindolol dose-dependently abolished effects of 8-OH-DPAT on LiCl-induced CTA. These findings support the notion that lithium has antagonistic actions on 5-HT1A receptors. Inhibition of 5-HT synthesis by PCPA failed, however, to prevent lithium-induced CTA. Evidently, mechanisms other than those governed solely by 5-HT are also involved in lithium-induced CTA.