Increased anxiety of mice lacking the serotonin1A receptor. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Brain serotonin (5-HT) has been implicated in a number of physiological processes and pathological conditions. These effects are mediated by at least 14 different 5-HT receptors. We have inactivated the gene encoding the 5-HT1A receptor in mice and found that receptor-deficient animals have an increased tendency to avoid a novel and fearful environment and to escape a stressful situation, behaviors consistent with an increased anxiety and stress response. Based on the role of the 5-HT1A receptor in the feedback regulation of the 5-HT system, we hypothesize that an increased serotonergic neurotransmission is responsible for the anxiety-like behavior of receptor-deficient animals. This view is consistent with earlier studies showing that pharmacological activation of the 5-HT system is anxiogenic in animal models and also in humans.

publication date

  • September 1, 1998

Research

keywords

  • Anxiety
  • Receptors, Serotonin

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC27964

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0032169414

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1073/pnas.95.18.10734

PubMed ID

  • 9724773

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 95

issue

  • 18