Une decouverte scientifique . . . n'est ja mais l'reuvre d'un seul homme et chacun de ceux qui y ont concouru lui ont donne bien des veilles. Louis Pasteur Traditionally every volume of the Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology is expected to give a comprehensive account of the topic it is devoted to. This is a relatively easy task if the subject has a short history, but if the problems in question have been worked on for half a century or longer the feasibility of integral coverage becomes questionable. In such cases more attention is usually given to the literature of the last decades, whereas older findings are dealt with in a summary fashion - with due exception to findings which can be considered classic. The situation is particularly complex if the origin of the subject is a natural drug whose actions - proven or alleged - were first recorded several centuries ago and where medical use can be traced back at least one and a half centuries (STEARNS, 1808) - as is the case of ergot of rye. As editors of the present volume of this Handbook, we did not have to face the full impact of these difficulties as two previous volumes have already been devoted to the pharmacologic actions of substances extracted from ergot of rye. The first of these, written by Arthur Cushny in 1914, was published in 1924 [A. R. CUSHNY: Mutterkorn. Handb. exper. Pharmakol. II, 2, 1297-1354 (1924)].

I Introduction to the Pharmacology of Ergot Alkaloids and Related Compounds as a Basis of Their Therapeutic Application

II Chemical Background
A. Occurrence, Biosynthesis, and Production
B. Structure and Synthesis of the Natural Alkaloids
C. Chemical Modifications in the Lysergic Acid Half of Ergot Alkaloids
D. Chemical Modification in the Peptide Part of Ergot Alkaloids
E. Some Analytical Tools for the Determination of Ergot Alkaloids
F. Subject Index
G. References
III Basic Pharmacological Properties
A. Introduction
B. Actions of Ergot Alkaloids at 5-HT Receptors
C. Actions of Ergot Alkaloids at Dopamine Receptors
D. Actions of Ergot Alkaloids at Adrenoceptors
E. The Shape of Ergotamine and Dihydroergotamine in Relation to Their Interaction With ?-Adrenoceptors
F. Actions of Ergot Alkaloids at Acetylcholine Receptors
G. Actions of Ergot Alkaloids at Histamine Receptors
H. Interaction of Ergot Alkaloids With Prostaglandins
J. Stimulation of Smooth Muscle by Ergot Alkaloids Mediated by Miscellaneous Mechanisms
K. Biochemical Identification of Specific Binding Sites for Ergot Alkaloids
L. References
IV Effects on the Uterus
A. Introduction
B. Actions on Uterine Motor Activity
C. References
V Actions on the Heart and Circulation
A. Actions on Systemic Blood Pressure
B. Hemodynamic Effects
C. Effects on Regional Hemodynamics
D. Actions on the Heart
E. Pharmacologic Basis for the Clinical Use of Ergot Alkaloids
F. References
VI Effects on the Central Nervous System
A. Introduction
B. Early Evidence of Central Effects
C. Whole-Animal Studies
D. Synaptic Transmission: Catecholaminergic Mechanisms
E. Synaptic Transmission: Serotoninergic Mechanisms
F. Brain Metabolism
G. References
VII ClinicalPharmacology of Ergot Alkaloids in Senile Cerebral Insufficiency
A. Introduction
B. Terminology, Etiology, and Pathology of the Aging Process of the Brain
C. Research Techniques Used in Clinical Pharmacologic Studies of Ergot Alkaloids in Senile Cerebral Insufficiency
D. Results of Clinical Pharmacology Studies With Ergot Alkaloids
E. Summary
F. References
VIII Some Compounds With Hallucinogenic Activity
A. Introduction
B. Discovery of LSD
C. Effects of LSD in Man
D. Clinical Applications of LSD
E. LSD Analogues Tested in Man
F. Cross-Tolerance
G. References
IX Influence on the Endocrine System
A. Animal Data
B. Human Data
C. References
X Metabolic Effects
A. Introduction
B. In Vitro Systems
C. Intact Animals and Men
D. Various Actions of Ergot Alkaloids
E. References
XI Biopharmaceutical Aspects. Analytical Methods, Pharmacokinetics, Metabolism and Bioavailability
A. Introduction
B. Assay of Ergot Alkaloids
C. Pharmacokinetics
D. Metabolism
E. References
XII Toxicologic Considerations
A. Introduction
B. Systemic Toxicity
C. Effects on Reproductive Processes
D. Potential Genetic Effects
E. Interactions Leading to Enhanced Toxicity
F. Summary
G. References
Authors Index.