title: Serotoninergic activation of the basolateral amygdala and modulation of tonic immobility in guinea pig.
abstract: Tonic immobility (TI), also known as death feigning or animal hypnosis, is a reversible state of motor inhibition that is not only triggered by postural inversion and/or movement restraining maneuvers but also by repetitive stimulation and pressure on body parts. Evidence has demonstrated that the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) is particularly associated with defensive behavior that involves the emotional states of fear and anxiety. In addition, some reports have demonstrated that serotonin (5-HT) released in the amygdala is increased during states of stress and anxiety, principally in the BLA. In the present study, we investigated the effects of serotonergic activation of the BLA on the duration of TI. The results showed that the microinjection of 5-HT (3.0 microg) into the BLA decreased the duration of TI. Similarly, the administration of a 5-HT1A agonist (0.1 microg of 8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotretalin) or 5-HT2 agonist (0.1 microg of alpha-methyl-5-HT) into the BLA reduced the TI duration. The effect of 5-HT2 agonist was reversed by pretreatment with a dose that had no effect per se (0.01 microg) of ketanserin (5-HT2 receptor antagonists) into the BLA. Moreover, the activation of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptors in the BLA did not alter the spontaneous motor activity in the open field test. The results of the present study indicate that the serotonergic system of the BLA possibly produces a reduction in fear and/or anxiety that reduces the TI duration in guinea pigs, but this is not due to increased spontaneous motor activity induced by serotonergic activation, which might affect TI duration non-specifically.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Stomatology and Physiology, Dental School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, 14040-904 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. christie@forp.usp.br
authors.forename: Christie Ramos Andrade
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Leite-Panissi
authors.forename: Aline Aparecida
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ferrarese
authors.forename: Ana Luisa Bernardes
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Terzian
authors.forename: Leda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Menescal-de-Oliveira
mesh_terms: D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin / Q000494:pharmacology; D000679:Amygdala / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D046353:Immobility Response, Tonic; D007650:Ketanserin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008845:Microinjections; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; C042390:alpha-methylserotonin; D012701:Serotonin; D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin; D007650:Ketanserin