Interactions of psychotropes with neurotransmitters

Abstract

This thesis examines interactions of psychotropic drugs with neurotransmitters. An understanding of the behaviour of these compounds could be of considerable pharmacological value in understanding the mechanism by which they mediate pysiological changes in vivo. Conductimetric and spectroscopic techniques were used in the investigation. Conductimetric evidence showed that a short time after mixing a 1:1 complex formed between the drugs and neurotransmitters. Further conductimetric evidence showed that in some cases a single observable reaction occured and in other instances two competing reactions were observed. Spectroscopic evidence suggested that there may be a further reaction occurring which was unobserved by the latter procedure as the reaction would be complete by the end of mixing. This was charge-transfer complex formation. It is suggested that these drugs act upon neurotransmitters by a charge-transfer mechanism. As no studies were performed in vivo no speculation is proposed about the physiological consequences of the above suggestion.