LSD and other related hallucinogens elicit myoclonic jumping behavior in the guinea pig

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 1989;13(1-2):199-210. doi: 10.1016/0278-5846(89)90017-1.

Abstract

1. We evaluated the behavioral response of guinea pigs to hallucinogenic agents in order to characterize the response of this species to a variety of known hallucinogenic drugs. 2. The systemic injection of LSD in the guinea pig elicited a "myoclonic-like" response the frequency of which was dose-dependent. This behavior exhibited rapid tolerance which was more prominent at higher doses. 3. Subacute mescaline pretreatment reduced the myoclonic response to LSD suggesting cross-tolerance. 4. Mescaline, DOM, TMA, DMA and 5 Me-ODMT also elicited myoclonus in a dose-dependent manner and in potency ratios which approximate the human experience for hallucinogenic activity. 5. Brom-LSD failed to induce myoclonus. 6. Since the myoclonic response of the guinea pig shares a number of pharmacologic characteristics with the human hallucinogenic event, this species may be useful in the study of hallucinogenic compounds.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Tolerance
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Hallucinogens / pharmacology*
  • Lysergic Acid Diethylamide / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mescaline / pharmacology
  • Motor Activity / drug effects*
  • Myoclonus / chemically induced
  • Myoclonus / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Hallucinogens
  • Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
  • Mescaline