SummaryIt was demonstrated that the simplified ergot congener 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin, 8-OH-DPAT, is able to elicit pronounced biochemical and behavioural alterations indicative of central serotoninomimetic activity. Since these effects are resistant to prior monoamine depletion and/or synthesis inhibition by means of reserpine and a-propyldopacetamide (H22/54), respectively, they are most likely to be attributable to direct serotonin-receptor agonism by 8-OH-DPAT. With regard to central 5-HT neurotransmission the effects of 8-OH-DPAT-increased 5-HT levels, decreased 5-HIAA levels, 5-HT-synthesis rate and 5-HT utilization and inhibited 5-HT neuronal firing--are virtually identical, and comparable in potency, to those reported to result from the administration of lisuride or LSD. In contrast, however, to lisuride and LSD (included for comparative purposes in this study) as well as to several differently N-substituted, 5,6-dihydroxy, 6,7-dihydroxy and 5-,6-and 7-monohydroxy 2-aminotetralins, 8-OH-DPAT lacks appreciable effects on * Presented in part at the 19th ACNP meeting, San Juan, December 15-19,1980. [Psychoph. Bull. 17, 180-183 (1981 central catecholamine receptors. The compound may thus be regarded tho most potent, selective centrally acting 5-HT agonist described to date. accordance with this it was shown that the full-blown 5-HT-like behaviou: syndrome induced by 8-OH-DPAT cannot be antagonized by reserpir. phenoxybenzamine, propranolol and haloperidol. In addition, of the thl putative 5-HT-receptor blockers cyproheptadine, methergoline and methl thepin only the latter was able to counteract the 8-OH-DPAT-induc~ syndrome. The results are discussed in relation to the recent subclassific tion of central 5-HT receptor sites.A comparison between the chemical structures and biological activiti for different fragments of the ergot nucleus was also made. The data sugg~ that while the role of the A ring in the ergot structure for dopaminer activity at present is unclear, this ring may be important for the 5-t activity like in e.g. lisuride and LSD.Moreover, based on the present results and literature reports, it is spe, lated that a selective 5-HT-receptor agonist such as 8-OH-DPAT would i be liable to induce hallucinations in man.