Mehta_2001_Neurosci.Lett_299_105

The biochemical mechanism underlying tremor is unknown. We investigated the effects of p-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA), a serotonin (5-HT) depletor, on the neurochemical processes in nuclei raphe dorsalis (NRD) and caudatus putamen (NCP) paralleling physostigmine-induced tremor in rats. Peak of physostigmine tremor correlated with increase in 5-HT in NRD and NCP, and a decrease in striatal dopamine (DA), as assayed employing high pressure liquid chromotography-electrochemistry. Administration of pCPA caused significant decrease in DA, norepinephrine (NE) and 5-HT levels in both the nuclei, without affecting striatal NE content and acetylcholinesterase activity. pCPA pretreatment significantly inhibited physostigmine-induced tremor and blocked corresponding increase in the levels of 5-HT in NRD and NCP. These results indicate involvement of central 5-HT, but not DA or NE, in the genesis of physostigmine tremor.