Depression of norepinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the brain by benzoquinolizine derivatives

Abstract

The effects of two benzoquinolizine derivatives on the 5-hydroxytryptamine and norepinephrine content of the brain of mice, and some pharmacological actions, are described. Certain central effects (such as sedation and narcosis potentiation) of benzoquinolizine derivatives and possibly of Rauwolfia alkaloids may be due to changes of norepinephrine metabolism rather than to changes of 5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism in the brain.