Effects of serotonergic agents on isolation-induced aggression.
A series of serotonergic agents were assessed for their ability to antagonize isolation-induced aggression and their activity to disrupt performance in the rotorod motor coordination test. All compounds with 5-HT1A activity [buspirone, gepirone, ipsapirone, tandospirone (SM-3997), 8-OH-DPAT, Wy-48,723, BMY-7378, Wy-47,846] reduced aggression at doses below those which produced debilitation in the rotorod motor coordination test. In addition, the 5-HT3 antagonist zacopride failed to attenuate aggression or produce debilitation at any of the doses tested; however, the 5-HT2 antagonist ritanserin inhibited aggressive behavior at a high dose which was not debilitating. Benzodiazepines (chlordiazepoxide, diazepam and lorazepam), and antidepressant (desipramine) and an antipsychotic (haloperidol) reduced aggressive behavior only at debilitating doses. Activity at the 5-HT1A receptor, and possibly nonsedative anxiolytic activity, appears to be related to antagonism of isolation-induced aggression.
CNS Division, Wyeth-Ayerst Research, Princeton, NJ 08543-8000.
S M
SM
White
R F
RF
Kucharik
J A
JA
Moyer
D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001549:Benzamides / Q000494:pharmacology; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; D003891:Desipramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects; D016713:Ritanserin / Q000494:pharmacology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D012934:Social Isolation
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D016713:Ritanserin; D012701:Serotonin; C055971:zacopride; D006220:Haloperidol; D003891:Desipramine