5-HT1B receptors and aggression: a review.
The serotonergic (5-HT) system in the brain is involved in the modulation of offensive aggressive behavior. The dogma that activity of the 5-HT system is inversely related to aggression is obsolete now. Research on the status of the 5-HT system before, during and after the execution of aggression is ongoing but has not yet led to a clear picture about the actual functional role of the 5-HT system, the more because state versus trait aggression seems to play a pivotal role in the outcome. Pharmacological challenges pinpoint 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(1B) receptors as key players in the modulation of offensive aggression. This review emphasizes in particular the role of postsynaptic 5-HT(1B) (hetero) receptors as a premier site to modulate offensive aggression. Modulation of the firing and 5-HT release of the serotonergic neuron, via presynaptic 5-HT(1A) (auto) receptors, presynaptic 5-HT(1B) (auto) receptors and serotonergic transporters, may also have striking influences on aggression under certain conditions. Therefore, it is hypothesized that postsynaptic 5-HT(1B) (hetero) receptors directly influence the executive, consummatory phases of agonistic behavior, whereas presynaptic serotonergic feedback systems are particularly useful in the introductory (appetitive) phases of the agonistic behavioral complex.
Olivier
Berend
B
Department of Psychopharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Sorbonnelaan 16, The Netherlands. b.olivier@pharm.uu.nl
van Oorschot
Ruud
R
D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D044302:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B / Q000502:physiology*; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D058825:Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists
D044302:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D058825:Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists; D012701:Serotonin