Biomaterial Database

5-hydroxytryptophan-induced myoclonus in guinea pigs. A physiological and pharmacological investigations. 1978

D Chadwick, and M Hallett, and P Jenner, and C D Marsden

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) induces a characteristic behavioural syndrome of altered motor activity with muscle jerking in guinea pigs. Myoclonic jerking occurs synchronously in forelimbs and hindlimbs and is associated with a stereotyped electromyographic (EMG) pattern of a burst of activity lasting 40-50 msec in active muscles, followed by silence lasting 50-70 msec, followed by a further variable period of muscle activity. Such myoclonus may be induced also by the administration of L-tryptophan plus a monamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), or by agents acting as serotonin (5-HT) receptor agonists. The 5-HTP-induced syndrome is antagonised by a central decarboxylase inhibitor (NSD-1035) and by agents which block 5-HT receptors (methysergide and cyproheptadine). 5-HTP-induced jerking is abolished below the level of a spinal cord transection, but persists in decerebrate animals. No electroencephalographic (EEG) changes are seen preceding the muscle jerks. The clinical significance of this animal model of myoclonus is discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D009043	Motor Activity	Body movements of a human or an animal as a behavioral phenomenon.	Activities, Motor,Activity, Motor,Motor Activities
D009132	Muscles	Contractile tissue that produces movement in animals.	Muscle Tissue,Muscle,Muscle Tissues,Tissue, Muscle,Tissues, Muscle
D009207	Myoclonus	Involuntary shock-like contractions, irregular in rhythm and amplitude, followed by relaxation, of a muscle or a group of muscles. This condition may be a feature of some CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES; (e.g., EPILEPSY, MYOCLONIC). Nocturnal myoclonus is the principal feature of the NOCTURNAL MYOCLONUS SYNDROME. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp102-3).	Myoclonus, Action,Myoclonus, Nocturnal,Myoclonus, Palatal,Polymyoclonus,Myoclonic Jerk,Myoclonic Jerking,Myoclonus Simplex,Myoclonus, Eyelid,Myoclonus, Intention,Myoclonus, Lower Extremity,Myoclonus, Oculopalatal,Myoclonus, Segmental,Myoclonus, Sleep,Myoclonus, Upper Extremity,Action Myoclonus,Extremity Myoclonus, Lower,Extremity Myoclonus, Upper,Eyelid Myoclonus,Intention Myoclonus,Jerk, Myoclonic,Jerking, Myoclonic,Jerks, Myoclonic,Lower Extremity Myoclonus,Myoclonic Jerks,Nocturnal Myoclonus,Oculopalatal Myoclonus,Palatal Myoclonus,Segmental Myoclonus,Simplex, Myoclonus,Sleep Myoclonus,Upper Extremity Myoclonus
D010293	Pargyline	A monoamine oxidase inhibitor with antihypertensive properties.	Pargyline Hydrochloride,Hydrochloride, Pargyline
D003533	Cyproheptadine	A serotonin antagonist and a histamine H1 blocker used as antipruritic, appetite stimulant, antiallergic, and for the post-gastrectomy dumping syndrome, etc.	Antergan,Dihexazin,Periactin,Peritol,Viternum
D004576	Electromyography	Recording of the changes in electric potential of muscle by means of surface or needle electrodes.	Electromyogram,Surface Electromyography,Electromyograms,Electromyographies,Electromyographies, Surface,Electromyography, Surface,Surface Electromyographies
D005260	Female		Females
D006168	Guinea Pigs	A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research.	Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
D006916	5-Hydroxytryptophan	The immediate precursor in the biosynthesis of SEROTONIN from tryptophan. It is used as an antiepileptic and antidepressant.	5-HTP,Hydroxytryptophan,Oxitriptan,Oxytryptophan,Tryptophan, 5-Hydroxy-,5 Hydroxytryptophan,5-Hydroxy- Tryptophan,Tryptophan, 5 Hydroxy