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1: Genes Brain Behav. 2007 Jul;6(5):491-6. Epub 2007 Apr 19.Click here to read Links

Serotonin 5-HT(2C) receptors regulate anxiety-like behavior.

Heisler LK, Zhou L, Bajwa P, Hsu J, Tecott LH.

Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. lkh30@medschl.cam.ac.uk

Central serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) systems have been implicated in the pathophysiology and treatment of anxiety disorders, which are among the world's most prevalent psychiatric conditions. Here, we report that the 5-HT(2C) receptor (5-HT(2C)R) subtype is critically involved in regulating behaviors characteristic of anxiety using male 5-HT(2C)R knockout (KO) mice. Specific neural substrates underlying the 5-HT(2C)R KO anxiolytic phenotype were investigated, and we report that 5-HT(2C)R KO mice display a selective blunting of extended amygdala corticotropin-releasing hormone neuronal activation in response to anxiety stimuli. These findings illustrate a mechanism through which 5-HT(2C)Rs affect anxiety-related behavior and provide insight into the neural circuitry mediating the complex psychological process of anxiety.

PMID: 17451451 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]