Enhancement of Aggression Induced by Isolation Rearing is Associated with a Lack of Central Serotonin

• 来源期刊: 神经科学通报（英文版）
• 年，卷（期）: 2019,（5）
• 页码范围: 841-852
• 页数: 12页
• 语种: 英文

摘要

Isolation rearing (IR) enhances aggressive behavior,and the central serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine,5-HT) system has been linked to IR-induced aggression.However,whether the alteration of central serotonin is the cause or consequence of enhanced aggression is still unknown.In the present study,using mice deficient in central serotonin Tph2-/-and Lmxlb-/-,we examined the association between central serotonin and aggression with or without social isolation.We demonstrated that central serotonergic neurons are critical for the enhanced aggression after IR.5-HT depletion in wild-type mice increased aggression.On the other hand,application of 5-HT in Lmxlb-/-mice inhibited the enhancement of aggression under social isolation conditions.Dopamine was downregulated in Lmxlb-/-mice.Similar to 5-HT,L-DOPA decreased aggression in Lmxlb-/-mice.Our results link the serotoninergic system directly to aggression and this may have clinical implications for aggression-related human conditions.