Evidence for Postjunctional Serotonin (5-HT1) Receptors in the Trigeminocervical Complex

Units linked to stimulation of the superior sagittal sinus were identified and recorded from in the trigeminocervical complex of the anesthetized cat. Iontophoresis of glutamate NMDA receptor agonists increased the baseline-firing rate of these neurons. Coejection of sumatriptan, 4991W93, or ergometrine resulted in a significant reduction in NMDA agonist-induced increases in firing. These data establish the existence of triptan-sensitive (5-HT1) receptors on postsynaptic central trigeminal neurones.