5-HT1A receptor antagonist administration decreases cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus

This study investigated the action of 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonists on cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of adult rats. Three antagonists (NAN-190, p-MPPI and WAY-100635) all produced a statistically significant approximately 30% reduction in the number of BrdU-immunoreactive cells in the dentate gyrus. This suggests that 5-HT(1A) receptor activity is important during naturally occurring cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus, and perhaps neurogenesis, and is one of the many factors involved in its regulation.     

西酞普兰对脑卒中后抑郁大鼠海马齿状回5-羟色胺1A受体表达的影响

目的 观察西酞普兰对拟脑卒中后抑郁(post-stroke depression,PSD)大鼠海马齿状回5-羟色胺1A(5-HT1A)受体表达的影响,探讨其治疗PSD可能的药理机制.方法 将雄性SD大鼠分为3组正常对照组、拟PSD组和西酞普兰干预组.左侧大脑中动脉阻塞(MCAO)联合慢性不可预见温和应激刺激(CMS)及孤养法建立拟PSD动物模型,同时予西酞普兰(10 mg·kg-1·day-1)干预4周,荧光实时定量PCR和Western印迹方法检测并比较CMS开始后第19、28天各组大鼠海马齿状回5-HT1A受体的基因(mRNA表达水平)和蛋白表达水平.结果 CMS开始后第19天,西酞普兰组5-HT1A受体的基因和蛋白表达均高于拟PSD组[(0.131±0.008)vs(0.012±0.001)和(0.95±0.06)vs(0.40±0.03),P均小于0.001].第28天,西酞普兰组5-HT1A受体的基因和蛋白表达均高于拟PSD组[(0.224±0.012)vs(0.013±0.001)和(0.52±0.06)vs(0.08±0.02),P均小于0.001].结论 西酞普兰促进拟PSD大鼠海马齿状回5-HT1A受体的基因和蛋白表达,从而可促进海马神经重塑,这可能为西酞普兰治疗PSD的分子机制之一.     

Development of 5-HT1A receptor radioligands to determine receptor density and changes in endogenous 5-HT

[(18)F]FCWAY and [(18)F]FPWAY, analogues of the high affinity 5-HT(1A) receptor (5-HT(1A)R) antagonist WAY100635, were evaluated in rodents as potential radiopharmaceuticals for determining 5-HT(1A)R density and changes in receptor occupancy due to changes in endogenous serotonin (5-HT) levels. The in vivo hippocampus specific binding ratio [(hippocampus(uptake)/cerebellum(uptake))-1] of [(18)F]FPWAY was decreased to 32% of the ratio of [(18)F]FCWAY, indicating that [(18)F]FPWAY has lower affinity than [(18)F]FCWAY. The 5-HT(1A)R selectivity of [(18)F]FPWAY was confirmed using ex vivo autoradiography studies with 5-HT(1A)R knockout, heterozygous, and wildtype mice.Pre- or post-treatment of awake rodents in tissue dissection studies with paroxetine had no effect on hippocampal binding of [(18)F]FCWAY or [(18)F]FPWAY compared to controls, indicating neither tracer was sensitive to changes in endogenous 5-HT. In mouse ex vivo autoradiography studies in which awake mice were treated with fenfluramine following the [(18)F]FPWAY, a significant decrease was not observed in the hippocampus specific binding ratios. In rat dissection studies with fenfluramine administered following [(18)F]FPWAY or [(18)F]FBWAY ([(18)F]-MPPF) in awake or urethane-anesthetized rats, no significant differences in the specific binding ratios of the hippocampus were observed compared to their respective controls. [(18)F]FPWAY and [(18)F]FBWAY uptakes in all brain regions were increased variably in the anesthetized group (with the greatest increase in the hippocampus) vs. the awake group, but were decreased in the fenfluramine-treated anesthetized group vs. the anesthetized group. These data are best explained by changes in blood flow caused by urethane and fenfluramine, which varies from region to region in the brain.     

Mice over-expressing the 5-HT(1A) receptor in cortex and dentate gyrus display exaggerated locomotor and hypothermic response to 8-OH-DPAT

The serotonin 1A (5-HT(1A)) receptor is one of the best described receptor subtypes of the serotonergic system. Due to the complex distribution pattern, the pre- and postsynaptic localisation, the impact on various monoamines, as well as the influence on a wide range of physiological functions, the contribution of 5-HT(1A) receptors to behavioural outcomes is difficult to define. In this study, we present a new transgenic mouse model with a prominent over-expression of the 5-HT(1A) receptor in the outer cortical layers (I-III) and the dentate gyrus. Behavioural studies revealed a slight decrease in baseline motor activity of homozygous mice during the open field test. Moreover, core body temperature of male transgenic mice was significantly lower than that of wild-type mice. Pharmacological studies with the 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT (0.1-2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) revealed an exaggerated drug response in mutant mice. 8-OH-DPAT led to a drastic decrease in motor activity in the open field and elevated plus maze test. This significant effect on motor activity became more apparent by investigating the serotonergic syndrome induced by 8-OH-DPAT. Concentration as low as 0.5 mg/kg 8-OH-DPAT caused immobility in transgenic mice for 30 min, head weaving behaviour, and backward walking, whereas in wild-type animals, typical behaviours of the serotonin syndrome were first observed at concentrations of 1.5 mg/kg and more. In addition, the 8-OH-DPAT induced hypothermia was more pronounced in mutant mice than in wild-type animals. Therefore, these genetically modified mice represent a promising model for further investigations of the role of 5-HT(1A) receptors.     

Pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus increases cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of adult rats via a 5-HT1A receptor-dependent mechanism

The dentate gyrus continues to produce granule neurons throughout life. Mossy fibers, the axons of granule neurons, undergo atypical sprouting in both clinical and experimental mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Mossy fiber sprouting (MFS) has been hypothesized to underlie the network reorganization that is thought to produce spontaneously recurring seizures, possibly via the formation of new recurrent excitatory circuits. Hippocampal neurogenesis may be a critical step in the development of MFS, given that it is enhanced by at least 2-fold in the aftermath of pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus. Since it is known that serotonin (5-HT) 1A receptor activation also increases granule cell genesis in the dentate gyrus in rats, and reciprocally, that blockade of this receptor decreases it, we examined whether 5-HT(1A) receptor blockade would prevent the seizure-induced enhancement of neurogenesis. The ability to block seizure-induced neurogenesis would provide a test for its role in the network reorganization, especially in regards to MFS, which might underlie seizure development. In the present study, it was found that blockade of the 5-HT(1A) receptor before and after pilocarpine treatment prevented seizure-induced hippocampal cell proliferation and survival, and, its prevention by chronic treatment with a 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist (WAY-100,635) did not prevent the development of MFS or spontaneously recurring seizures. Taken together, these results suggest that 5-HT(1A) receptor activation is a critical step in the activation of seizure-induced cell proliferation and survival in the dentate gyrus, however, not for the onset of spontaneously recurrent seizures and MFS.     

脑卒中后抑郁大鼠海马齿状回5-羟色胺1A受体的表达

目的 观察脑卒中后抑郁(PSD)大鼠海马齿状回5-羟色胺1A(5-HT1A)受体的表达.方法 将SD雄性大鼠分为正常对照组、卒中组、应激抑郁对照组和PSD组,每组6只.应用左侧大脑中动脉阻塞(MCAO)联合不可预见的慢性温和应激(CMS)刺激及孤养法建立PSD大鼠模型,采用荧光实时定量聚合酶链反应和Western印迹法检测并比较各组大鼠CMS第19天和第28天齿状回5-HT1A受体(mRNA)和蛋白表达水平.结果 (1)CMS第19天,PSD组5-HT1A受体mRNA表达(O.012±0.001)低于正常对照组(0.361±0.010)和卒中组(0.039±0.002;P＜0.001);其5-HT1A受体蛋白表达(0.400±0.030)低于正常组(1.320±0.060)和卒中组(0.610±0.060;均P＜0.001).(2)CMS第28天,PSD组5-HT1A受体mRNA(0.013±0.001)低于正常对照组(0.336±0.011)、卒中组(0.063±0.006;均P＜0.001);其5-HT1A受体蛋白表达(0.080±0.020)低于正常组(0.620 ±0.030)、卒中组(0.260±0.040)和应激抑郁组(0.320±0.020;均P＜0.001).结论 PsD大鼠海马齿状回5-HT1A受体表达水平降低,此改变可能是PSD发病的分子机制之一.     

Somatostatin receptor type 2 undergoes plastic changes in the human epileptic dentate gyrus

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is characterized by hippocampal sclerosis together with profound losses and phenotypic changes of different classes of interneurons, including those expressing somatostatin (SRIF). To understand the functional significance of the plasticity of SRIF transmission in TLE, unraveling the status of SRIF receptors is, however, a prerequisite. To address this issue, we characterized expression and distribution of the major SRIF receptor, the sst2 subtype, in hippocampal tissue resected in patients with TLE using complementary neuroanatomic approaches. In patients with hippocampal sclerosis, the number of cells expressing sst2 receptor mRNA as well as sst2 receptor-binding sites and immunoreactivity decreased significantly in the CA1-3, reflecting neuronal loss. By contrast, in the dentate gyrus, sst2 receptor mRNA expression was strongly increased in the granule cell layer, and sst2 receptor-binding sites and immunoreactivity was preserved in the inner but decreased significantly in the outer molecular layer. In this latter region, pronounced changes in SRIF terminal fields were observed. Decreased receptor density in the distal dendrites of granule cells is likely to reflect downregulation of sst2 receptors in response to physiopathologic release of SRIF. Because sst2 receptors have anticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic properties, this phenomenon may contribute to the etiology of TLE seizures.     

Detection of the 5-HT1A receptor and 5-HT1A receptor mRNA in the rat bowel and pancreas: Comparison with 5-HT1Preceptors

We tested the hypothesis that the rat bowel and pancreas contain 5-HT_1A receptors. ₃H-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (₃H-8-OH-DPAT) was used as a radioligand. Binding of ₃H-8-OH-DPAT to membranes derived from the myenteric plexus and the pancreas was investigated by rapid filtration. Alternatively, radioautography was employed to locate ₃H-8-OH-DPAT binding sites in frozen sections of unfixed bowel or pancreas. An excess of 5-HT (10 μM) was used to define nonspecific binding. Saturable, high affinity binding of ₃H-8-OH-DPAT to enteric (K_d= 2.8 ± 1.1 nM; B_max =83.8 ± 4.3 fmol/mgproteim) and pancreatic (K_d = 6.6 ± 1.3 nM; B_max = 44 ± 2.2 fmol/mg protein) membranes was found. The binding of ₃H-8-OH-DPAT to enteric and pancreatic membranes was inhibited by 8-OH-DPAT, NAN-190, and spiperone. In contrast, the binding of ₃H-8-OH-DPAT to enteric and pancreatic membranes was not inhibited by 5-carboxyamidotryptamine, or by avariety of compounds known to bind to other subtypes of 5-HT receptor. Digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotides were found to detect mRNA encoding the 5-HT_1A receptor in a subset of neurons in myenteric and submucosal ganglia. In contrast, 5-HT_1A mRNA was not found in the pancreas. Radioautography revealed that the highest density of ₃H-8-OH-DPAT binding sites was found in the stomach. These sites were especially numerous in the lamina propria adjacent to gastric glands, and in myenteric ganglia. Pancreatic 5-HT_1Areceptors were located on nerves, lymphoid tissue (especially the capsule of nodes), and on cells scattered in the pancreatic parenchyma. The concentration of ₃H-8-OH-DPAT binding sites in the rat bowel and pancreas was less than that of ₃H-5-HT binding sites; however, the distribution of ₃H-8-OH-DPAT binding sites was similar to that of sites that bind ₃H-5-HT. It is concluded that the rat gut and its extension in the pancreas contains 5-HT_1A receptors. Many, if not all, of the nerve cells and processes that express 5-HT_1A receptors express 5-HT_1p receptors as well. The function of these receptors in the physiology of the entero-pancreatic innervation remains to be determined. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Increased mu-opioid receptor labeling is found on inner molecular layer terminals of the dentate gyrus following seizures

The hippocampal formation is a brain region sensitive to seizure development, a phenomenon thought to be mediated in part by mu-opioid receptor (MOR) activation. Previous studies have found a delayed increase in MOR immunoreactivity (IR) in the inner molecular layer (IML) of the dentate gyrus after experimentally induced seizures. However, whether these increases in MOR-IR are restricted to certain cell types or cellular compartments (i.e., presynaptic, postsynaptic, or glial profiles) has not been determined. Thus, the present study examined which subcellular profiles demonstrate changes in MOR-IR after kainic acid (KA)-induced seizures. Light microscopic (LM) analysis demonstrated seizure-induced increases in MOR-IR at three points of the IML (dorsal blade, ventral blade, and crest) at three levels of section (septal, mid-septotemporal, and temporal). Electron microscopic analysis of the IML revealed that MOR-IR was present in the same types of cellular profiles in both control and KA-treated rats. However, a significant increase in the number of MOR-labeled terminal profiles was revealed in KA-treated rats compared to controls. Additionally, some MOR-labeled terminals in KA-treated rats possessed excitatory-type morphology and contained enkephalin or dynorphin, peptides found in mossy fiber terminals. These data suggest that most of the seizure-induced increases in MOR expression in the IML are associated with terminals originating from several different neuronal populations, including granule cells, and possibly, surviving GABAergic interneurons, septal cholinergic, and/or supramamillary projection neurons.     

Effect of 5-HT depletion of the hippocampus on neuronal transmission from perforant path through dentate gyrus

Stimulation of the perforant pathway (pp) elicits a characteristic evoked action potential (EAP) in the granule cell layer of the dentate gyrus. The EAP was recorded in rats depleted of hippocampal serotonin (5-HT) by prior injection of p-chloroamphetamine (PCA) or 5,7-dihydroxy-tryptamine (5,7-DHT) as well as in untreated animals during two behavioral states, slow-wave sleep (SWS) and still-alert behavior (SAL). As reported previously, in untreated rats the amplitude of the EAP response was significantly greater during SWS than SAL. Stimulation of the median raphe nucleus (MR) prior to stimulating the pp (prestimulation) augmented the EAP response, but only during SWS. In contrast, in animals injected with PCA or 5,7-DHT there was no difference of the amplitude of the EAP during SWS and SAL. However, the augmentation of the EAP during SWS produced by prestimulation of the median raphe was still present. It is concluded that 5-HT innervation of the dentate gyrus may be involved in the behavioral modulation of the EAP response. Modulation of the EAP following prestimulation of the MR appears to be effected by a non-serotonergic input to the dentate gyrus originating in, or coursing through, the median raphe.     

Downregulation of 5-HT1A receptors in rat hypothalamus and dentate gyrus after “binge” pattern cocaine administration

The effect of chronic cocaine exposure on the central serotonergic system in the rat was investigated using a selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist, [3H]8-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), and a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, [3H]ketanserin, as tritiated ligands in a quantitative autoradiography study. Rats were administered cocaine in a “binge” pattern, 15 mg/kg/injection, three times a day, at 1-h intervals for 14 days to mimic the pattern often seen in human cocaine addicts. A significant decrease in the binding of [3H]8-OH-DPAT was found in the ventromedial hypothalamus (P < 0.001) and the dorsal dentate gyrus (P < 0.01) in rats administered cocaine as compared with rats injected with saline. No significant difference in the binding of [3H]ketanserin was found in frontal, parietal, agranular insular, and piriform cortices, caudate-putamen, olfactory tubercle, nucleus accumbens, thalamus, septohippocampal nucleus, and claustrum. Several studies have shown that 5-HT1A receptor agonists have antidepressant properties. Other studies, in animal models, have shown that 5-HT1A receptor agonists stimulate the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, which is of interest, since chronic activation of this axis has been related to anxiety and depression. Our data show that the 5-HT1A component of the serotonergic system is altered following chronic “binge” pattern cocaine administration in an animal model and may be related to changes in the HPA axis and behavior. Synapse 30:166–171, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Extranuclear estrogen receptor beta immunoreactivity is on doublecortin-containing cells in the adult and neonatal rat dentate gyrus

In adult female rats, estrogen receptor (ER) activation, particularly of ERbeta, promotes hippocampal neurogenesis. We previously reported that extranuclear ERbeta immunoreactivity (ir) in adult rats is on cellular profiles in or near the granule cell layer, which is the location of newly generated cells. During development, cells in or near the granule cell layer transiently express high levels of estrogen binding and nuclear ERs. Thus, we sought to determine if extranuclear ERbeta is in newly generated cells in adult and neonatal rat dentate gyrus. Sections from the dentate gyrus of adult proestrus or postnatal day 7 and 14 female rats were dual-labeled for ERbeta and the new-cell marker doublecortin (DCX) and examined by electron microscopy. DCX-containing neurons were found in the subgranular hilus in adult rats and were more widespread throughout the granule cell layer and hilus of neonatal rats. In both adults and neonatal rats, ERbeta immunoreactivity was found in a subset of DCX-labeled neurons. Electron microscopic examination of the adult dentate gyrus revealed that most perikarya with DCX-ir had the morphological characteristics of granule cells, although a few resembled interneurons. Dendrites with DCX-ir also were observed. In both adults and neonates, DCX-labeled neuronal perikarya and dendrites contained ERbeta-ir; ERbeta-ir usually was aggregated near the plasma membrane, mitochondria or endoplasmic reticula. ERbeta-ir was in glial profiles that apposed DCX-labeled perikarya and dendrites. These findings are consistent with data showing that estrogens can exert non-genomic effects directly and indirectly on newly generated cells in neonatal and adult rat dentate gyrus.     

Reduction in 5-HT1A receptor density, 5-HT1A mRNA expression, and functional correlates for 5-HT1A receptors in genetically defined aggressive rats

The present experiments tested the hypothesis that one of the critical mechanisms underlying genetically defined aggressiveness involves brain serotonin 5-HT1A receptors. 5-HT1A receptor density, the receptor mRNA expression in brain structures, and functional correlates for 5-HT1A receptors identified as 8-OH-DPAT-induced hypothermia and lower lip retraction (LLR) were studied in Norway rats bred for 59 generations for the lack of aggressiveness and for high affective aggressiveness with respect to man. Considerable differences between the highly aggressive and the nonaggressive rats were shown in all three traits. A significant decrease in B(max) of specific receptor binding of [3H]8-OH-DPAT in the frontal cortex, hypothalamus, and amygdala and a reduction in 5-HT1A receptor mRNA expression in the midbrain of aggressive rats were found. 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a distinct hypothermic reaction in nonaggressive rats and did not affect significantly the body temperature in aggressive rats. Similar differences were revealed in 8-OH-DPAT-induced LLR: LLR was expressed much more in nonaggressive than in aggressive animals. Additionally, 8-OH-DPAT (0.5 mg/kg i.p.) treatment significantly attenuated the aggressive response to man. The results demonstrated an association of aggressiveness with reduced 5-HT1A receptor expression and function, thereby providing support for the view favoring the idea that brain HT1A receptor contributes to the genetically defined individual differences in aggressiveness.     

Adenosine A2A, 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 receptor in neonatally pregnenolone-treated rats.

Steroid hormones synthesized in the brain, called 'neurosteroids', modulate neuronal activity. We treated neonatal rats with a main precursor of the neurosteroidogenesis, pregnenolone, and examined adenosine A2A receptor, 5- hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1A and 5-HT7 receptor densities in the front-parietal cortex in juvenile and adult rats. In receptor binding assay using [3H]CGS21680 and [3H]8-OH-DPAT, it was shown that neonatal pregnenolone-treatment induced a significant decrease in the adenosine A2A receptor density with no significant effects on the 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 receptor densities.     

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 1 regulates neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of schizophrenia-like mice

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor hypofunction is the basis of pathophysiology in schizophrenia. Blocking the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor impairs learning and memory abilities and induces pathological changes in the brain. Previous studies have paid little attention to the role of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 1(NR1) in neurogenesis in the hippocampus of schizophrenia. A mouse model of schizophrenia was established by intraperitoneal injection of 0.6 mg/kg MK-801, once a day, for 14 days. In N-methyl-D-aspartate-treated mice, N-methyl-D-aspartate was administered by intracerebroventricular injection in schizophrenia mice on day 15. The number of NR1-,Ki67-or BrdU-immunoreactive cells in the dentate gyrus was measured by immunofluorescence staining. Our data showed the number of NR1-immunoreactive cells increased along with the decreasing numbers of BrdU-and Ki67-immunoreactive cells in the schizophrenia groups compared with the control group. N-methyl-D-aspartate could reverse the above changes. These results indicated that NR1 can regulate neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of schizophrenia mice, supporting NR1 as a promising therapeutic target in the treatment of schizophrenia. This study was approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of the Ningxia Medical University,China(approval No. 2014-014) on March 6, 2014.     

Deletion of lysophosphatidic acid receptor LPA1 reduces neurogenesis in the mouse dentate gyrus

Neurogenesis persists in certain regions of the adult brain including the subgranular zone of the hippocampal dentate gyrus wherein its regulation is essential, particularly in relation to learning, stress and modulation of mood. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is an extracellular signaling phospholipid with important neural regulatory properties mediated by specific G protein-coupled receptors, LPA(1-5). LPA(1) is highly expressed in the developing neurogenic ventricular zone wherein it is required for normal embryonic neurogenesis, and, by extension may play a role in adult neurogenesis as well. By means of the analyses of a variant of the original LPA(1)-null mutant mouse, termed the Malaga variant or "maLPA(1)-null," which has recently been reported to have defective neurogenesis within the embryonic cerebral cortex, we report here a role for LPA(1) in adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Proliferation, differentiation and survival of newly formed neurons are defective in the absence of LPA(1) under normal conditions and following exposure to enriched environment and voluntary exercise. Furthermore, analysis of trophic factors in maLPA(1)-null mice demonstrated alterations in brain-derived neurotrophic factor and insulin growth factor 1 levels after enrichment and exercise. Morphological analyses of doublecortin positive cells revealed the anomalous prevalence of bipolar cells in the subgranular zone, supporting the operation of LPA(1) signaling pathways in normal proliferation, maturation and differentiation of neuronal precursors.     

Quantification of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptor Binding in Depressed Suicide Attempters and Non-Attempters

Objective: To determine serotonin system abnormalities related to major depression or previous suicidal behavior.

Methods: [¹¹C]WAY100635, [¹⁸F]altanserin and positron emission tomography were used to compare 5-HT_1A and 5-HT_2A binding in MDD patients divided into eight past suicide attempters (>4yrs prior to scanning) and eight lifetime non-attempters, and both groups were compared to eight healthy volunteers.

Results: The two receptor types differed in binding pattern across brain regions from each other, but there were no differences in binding between healthy volunteers and the two depressed groups or between depressed suicide attempters and non-attempters. No effects of depression severity or lifetime aggression were observed for either receptor.

Conclusion: Limitations of this study include small sample size and absence of high lethality suicide attempts in the depressed attempter group. No trait-like binding correlations with past suicide attempt or current depression were observed. Given the heterogeneity of nonfatal suicidal behavior, a larger sample study emphasizing higher lethality suicide attempts may find the serotonin biological phenotype seen in suicide decedents.     

Prolonged 5-HT1A/5-HT2A receptor cross-talk is absent prior to adulthood in rats

In adult rats, serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptor activation produces heterologous desensitization of serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) neuroendocrine function at 1 h that persists up to 72 h. This study determined whether prolonged 5-HT1A/5-HT2A cross-talk exists before sexual maturation. Adolescent male rats (postnatal day 39) received an injection with saline or (+)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin hydrobromide [(+)8-OH-DPAT] 24 h before receiving a challenge injection of saline, (+)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin hydrobromide, or (-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane HCl [(-)DOI] o assess changes in basal, 5-HT1A, and 5-HT2A receptor-mediated hormone responses. Although homologous desensitization of 5-HT1A neuroendocrine responses was present at 24 h, heterologous desensitization of 5-HT2A neuroendocrine responses was not. These data suggest that 5-HT1A heterologous desensitization of 5-HT2A receptor function does not develop until adulthood, is more transient, or follows a different time course before maturation.     

Operant learning and differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate 36-s responding in 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptor knockout mice

Previous studies with mice lacking 5-HT(1A) (1AKO) and 5-HT(1B) (1BKO) receptors in hippocampus-dependent learning and memory paradigms, suggest that these receptors play an important role in learning and memory, although their precise role is unclear. In the present study, 1AKO and 1BKO mice were studied in operant behavioural paradigms of decision making and response inhibition, to further study the putative involvement of these receptors in prefrontal cortex-dependent learning and memory. Moreover, because 1AKO mice have been shown to exhibit an antidepressant-like phenotype and 1BKO mice to be more impulsive in ethological studies, mice were trained in a differential-reinforcement-of-low-rates (DRL) procedure. Overall, results indicate that 1AKO and 1BKO mice display subtle differences in operant paradigms of decision making and response inhibition compared to wild type (WT) mice. In addition, when responding under a DRL 36-s schedule had stabilised, 1BKO mice showed a phenotype indicative of increased impulsivity, whereas 1AKO mice did not differ from WT mice. In conclusion, 5-HT(1B) receptors appear to play an important role in impulsivity and a minor role in prefrontal cortex-dependent learning and memory as shown by the results obtained in serial reversal learning and extinction. In contrast, 5-HT(1A) receptors appear to be involved in facilitation of autoshaping, but their role in impulsivity and prefrontal cortex-dependent learning and memory appears to be limited.