Effect of serotonin transporter genotype on carbon dioxide-induced fear-related behavior in mice.
J Psychopharmacol
; 34(12): 1408-1417, 2020 12.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33103571
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Inhaling 35% carbon dioxide induces an emotional and symptomatic state in humans closely resembling naturally occurring panic attacks, the core symptom of panic disorder. Previous research has suggested a role of the serotonin system in the individual sensitivity to carbon dioxide. In line with this, we previously showed that a variant in the SLC6A4 gene, encoding the serotonin transporter, moderates the fear response to carbon dioxide in humans. To study the etiological basis of carbon dioxide-reactivity and panic attacks in more detail, we recently established a translational mouse model.AIM:
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether decreased expression of the serotonin transporter affects the sensitivity to carbon dioxide.METHODS:
Based on our previous work, wildtype and serotonin transporter deficient (+/-, -/-) mice were monitored while being exposed to carbon dioxide-enriched air. In wildtype and serotonin transporter +/- mice, also cardio-respiration was assessed.RESULTS:
For most behavioral measures under air exposure, wildtype and serotonin transporter +/- mice did not differ, while serotonin transporter -/- mice showed more fear-related behavior. Carbon dioxide exposure evoked a marked increase in fear-related behaviors, independent of genotype, with the exception of time serotonin transporter -/- mice spent in the center zone of the modified open field test and freezing in the two-chamber test. On the physiological level, when inhaling carbon dioxide, the respiratory system was strongly activated and heart rate decreased independent of genotype.CONCLUSION:
Carbon dioxide is a robust fear-inducing stimulus. It evokes inhibitory behavioral responses such as decreased exploration and is associated with a clear respiratory profile independent of serotonin transporter genotype.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Behavior, Animal
/
Carbon Dioxide
/
Panic Disorder
/
Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
/
Fear
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
J Psychopharmacol
Journal subject:
PSICOFARMACOLOGIA
Year:
2020
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: