The role of the serotonergic system in foot shock-induced behavior in mice

Abstract

In a foot shock-induced fighting (FSIF) test, serotonergic and antiserotonergic agents were examined. Stimulation of the brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) neurons with different serotonergic agents, such as l-tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan, imipramine, fluoxetine, 5-methoxy-tryptamine, quipazine, and fenfluramine, showed the inhibiting role of the 5-HT system in FSIF. At the same time, following the results obtained in FSIF tests and locomotor activity tests, it can be inferred that the 5-HT antagonists used (methysergide, cyproheptadine, metergoline, cinnarizine, and pizotifen) do not act specifically in this model of aggression. P-Chlorophenylalanine effects on mice in FSIF also seem to be partly due to catecholaminolytic action.

Effects of serotonin receptor agonists and antagonists on offensive aggression in mice

“…Perhaps studies with the IIF model that have shown seemingly contradictory roles for serotonin have been the result of using manipulations that alter 5-HT-1 receptor activity. For example, perhaps the antiaggressive effects of zimeldine and PCA in isolated mice [Ogren et al, 19801 are due to increased serotonin at the inhibitory 5-HT-1 receptor, as this receptor type predominates in most brain regions and, more importantly, since serotonin has been shown, via binding studies, to preferentially bind 5-HT-1 receptors [Peroutka and Snyder, 19791. We can also speculate on an inhibitory role for 5-HT-1 receptors in SIF in light of studies wherein quipazine had depressive effects on SIF [Prasad and Sheard, 1983;Rolinski and Herbut, 1981;Sheard, 19811. In addition, in aggreement with the results of the present study, Sheard [1981] found that quipazine, in doses of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mg/kg, reduced SIF in a dose-dependent manner. A study utilizing serotonin receptor antagonists cyproheptidine, metergoline, and methysergide on SIF reported decreases [Rolinski and Herbut, 19811.…”

“…SIF typically involves defensive upright postures, bites to the snout, vocalizations, and escape attempts. Stimulation of brain 5-HT with various serotonergic agents inhibits shock-induced fighting (SIF) [Kantak et al, 1981a;Prasad and Sheard, 1983;Rolinski and Herbut, 1981;Sheard, 19811. Conversely, SIF can be facilitated by a decrease in brain 5-HT [Eichelman and Thoa, 1973;Kantak et al, 1981a;Kantak et al, 1981b;Kantak et al, 1980b;Sheard, 19811.…”

Effects of d,l-fenfluramine on aggressive and impulsive responding in adult males with a history of conduct disorder

“…Decreases following acute d,l-fenfluramine administration are consistent with non-human studies. d,l-Fenfluramine has been reported to suppress foot shock induced aggression in mice and rats (Panksepp 1973;Rolinski and Herbut 1981), as well as aggression in rats induced by apomorphine (McKenzie 1981). Clinicians have used d,l-fenfluramine to manage disruptive behavior in children and adults (Aman et al 1993a(Aman et al , 1993bLeventhal et al 1993;Saletu et al 1993).…”

Clinical and biochemical aspects of depressive disorders: III. Treatment and controversies

“…Animal studies further indicate that serotonin is involved in aggression. For example, para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), a serotonergic synthesis blocker, significantly increased shockinduced fighting in rats (Sheard, 1969), and serotonin agonists decreased shock-induced fighting in mice (Rolinski and Herbut, 1981). Similarly, either PCPA (Valzelli et al, 1981) or serotonin-depleting lesions of the midbrain raphe nuclei (Grant et al, 1973) produced mouse-killing behavior in rats.…”