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Serotonergic receptors in anxiety and aggression; evidence from animal pharmacology
Author(s) -
Olivier B.,
Tulp M. Th. M.,
Mos J.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.461
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1099-1077
pISSN - 0885-6222
DOI - 10.1002/hup.470060511
Subject(s) - anxiolytic , serotonergic , anxiogenic , aggression , anxiety , pharmacology , 5 ht receptor , psychology , receptor , serotonin , medicine , psychiatry
The present contribution describes the effects of 5‐HT 1A , 5‐HT 1B , 5‐HT 1C , 5‐HT 1D , 5‐HT 2 and 5‐HT 3 ligands in preclinical models of anxiety and aggression in rodents. 5‐HT 1A agonists show up as strong anxiolytic drugs in some animal paradigms, but not in all, and their behavioural profile is clearly different from that of benzodiazepines. 5‐HT 1B,1C,1D ligands have mixed effects in anxiety paradigms; anxiolytic as well as anxiogenic responses have been observed, and some compounds were devoid of activity. The 5‐HT 2 ligands have no clear‐cut anxiolytic effects either, whereas 5‐HT 3 antagonists seem to exert anxiolytic effects, at least in some animal anxiety models. In offensive aggression, 5‐HT 1A agonists are not specifically anti‐aggressive, presumably due to sedation and interference with serotonergic behaviour. Mixed 5‐HT 1A,1B agonists appear specific antiaggressive agents, reducing offence without sedative or other unwanted side‐effects. Extensive studies have indicated that the 5‐HT 1B or some combination of 5‐HT 1A/1B receptors specifically modulates this anti‐offence effect (serenic‐profile). Neither 5‐HT 1C , 5‐HT 2 nor 5‐HT 3 receptor ligands appear to have antiaggressive effects. These preclinical data await human studies in order to find new clinically therapeutic entities.