IN-VIVO EFFECTS OF THE KAVAPYRONES (-DIHYDROMETHYSTICIN AND (+())-)-KAVAIN ON DOPAMINE, 3,4-DIHYDROXYPHENYLACETIC ACID, SEROTONIN AND 5-HYDROXYINDOLEACETIC ACID LEVELS IN STRIATAL AND CORTICAL BRAIN-REGIONS/

The in vivo effect of a single oral dose of 100 mg (+)-dihydromethysti cin/kg body weight on striatal and cortical tissue concentrations of d opamine, serotonin, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid, as well as the dopamine and serotonin turnover, was teste d in rats. Additionally, other rats were fed with a (+/-)-kavain conta ining food over a period of 78 days in order to calculate the influenc e of a chronic treatment with kavapyrones on the neurotransmitters. Th e results of the present in vivo study clearly demonstrate that neithe r (+)-dihydromethysticin in a high single dose, nor (+/-)-kavain chron ically administered, altered the dopaminergic or serotonergic tissue l evels in rats significantly.