title: Role of the serotonergic system in the forced swimming test.
abstract: The effect of manipulations aimed at modifying the function of the 5-HT system has been reviewed. 5-HT uptake inhibitors are devoid of any activity in rats and induce an anti-immobility effect in mice. The so-called 5-HT1A agonists reduce the immobility time with some differences in mice and rats, mice being less sensitive. None of the procedure aimed at reducing 5-HT function reduced immobility time. Therefore, the 5-HT system does not play a tonic role in animals performing the forced swimming test. The involvement of possible brain regions mediating the anti-immobility effects of 5-HT mimetic drugs has been discussed.
authors.affiliation: Boehringer Ingelheim Italia S.p.A., Milano.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Borsini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D013550:Swimming
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D012701:Serotonin; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors