Increased anxiety of mice lacking the serotonin1A receptor.
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.
Parks
C L
CL
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544-1014, USA.
Robinson
P S
PS
Sibille
E
E
Shenk
T
T
Toth
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000235:genetics*; D044263:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1
D017931:DNA Primers; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D044263:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1