This presumably simply shuts down all traffic related to keeping consciousness going. This produced a deep coma that lasted for 48-72 hours. Neither drug by itself produced any such effect. Howeve,r giving a combination of drugs simultaneously that inhibit both 5HT and NE synthesis leads to a demented-like state rather than coma. It may be significant the side chain of prochlorperazine is chemically quite similar to the polyamine spermine and so the spermine modulatory site on the NMDAr protein may also be involved.
NMDA blockers do lead to coma.
Hepatic, renal and diabetic comas have also been linked to brain 5HT disturbances. Thus there is still much to learn about the neurochemical basis of consciousness that may be relevant to emotional mechanisms. Transmitter systems involved in neural plasticity underlying increased anxiety and defense-implications for understanding anxiety following traumatic stress. Cerebral and ocular toxicity induced by desferroximine. J.Med. 219, 345-355.