Central serotonergic effects of m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) among normal control adolescents

Abstract

Central serotonin function was studied among 21 adolescents (12 males, 9 females), mean age 14.4 ± 1.5 years. A placebo-controlled design was used to measure three neuroendocrine hormones (prolactin, cortisoland growth hormone) following a challenge with thecentralserotonergic agonist m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP). Infusion of mCPP resulted in augmented prolactin, cortisoland growthhormone release. Gender effects were significant for prolactin, cortisoland growth hormone. Females had higher baseline prolactinwithout significant interactions with infusion or time, cortisollevels were higher in males than in females at all time points withoutsignificant interactions with infusion ortime, and the augmented growth hormone response to mCPP was limited to males. Systolic anddiastolic blood pressure, heart rate and temperature were allmildly elevated following mCPP infusion. Side effects to mCPP infusionwere mild and lasted approximately 20 min. We conclude that mCPP is usefulin the study of serotonergic neuroendocrine hormones inadolescents, is welltolerated, and the levels of prolactin, cortisoland growth hormone are influenced by gender. © 2003 American College of Neuropsychopharmacology.