title: 5-HT2C receptor involvement in the control of persistence in the reinforced spatial alternation animal model of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The serotonergic system is implicated in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, the distinct role of serotonin (5-HT) receptor subtypes remains unclear. This study investigates the contribution of 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors in the modulation of persistence in the reinforced spatial alternation model of OCD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male Wistar rats were assessed for spontaneous and pharmacologically induced (by m-chlorophenylpiperazine: mCPP) directional persistence in the reinforced alternation OCD model. Systemic administration of mCPP (non-specific 5-HT agonist, 2.5mg/kg), M100907 (selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, 0.08 mg/kg), SB242084 (selective 5-HT2C receptor antagonist, 0.5 mg/kg) and vehicle was used. Experiment 1 investigated M100907 and SB242084 effects in animals spontaneously exhibiting high and low persistence during the early stages of alternation training. Experiment 2 investigated M100900 and SB242084 effects on mCPP-induced persistence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Under the regime used in Experiment 1, 5-HT2A or 5-HT2C receptor antagonism did not affect spontaneous directional persistence in either high or low persistence groups. In Experiment 2, 5-HT2C but not 5-HT2A receptor antagonism significantly reduced, but did not abolish, mCPP-induced directional persistence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that 5-HT2C but not 5-HT2A receptors contribute to the modulation of mCPP-induced persistent behaviour, raising the possibility that the use of 5-HT2C antagonists may have a therapeutic value in OCD.
authors: Experimental Psychology Laboratory, 1st Department of Psychiatry, Athens University Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece. kelly78@hotmail.com
authors: Vassiliki-Maria
authors: VM
authors: Papakosta
authors: Stamatina
authors: S
authors: Kalogerakou
authors: Dimitris
authors: D
authors: Kontis
authors: Eleni
authors: E
authors: Anyfandi
authors: Eirini
authors: E
authors: Theochari
authors: Vasileios
authors: V
authors: Boulougouris
authors: Sokrates
authors: S
authors: Papadopoulos
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Panagis
authors: Eleftheria
authors: E
authors: Tsaltas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A / Q000502:physiology*; D044405:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C / Q000502:physiology*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D058830:Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A; D044405:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C; D058830:Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists