Serotonin-Containing Neurons in Brain: Depression of Firing by Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

Abstract

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors were administered to rats while the activities of single, serotonin-containing neurons of the midbrain raphe nuclei were being monitored with microelectrodes. All the inhibitors tested (pargyline, tranylcypromine, phenelzine, iproniazid) caused depression of raphe unit firing rate. The ability of monoamine oxidase inhibitors to depress raphe units was impaired by prior treatment with p-chlorophenylalanine, an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis.