Role of the 5HT3 Receptor in Alcohol Drinking and Aggression Using A Transgenic Mouse Model
Abstract
We hypothesized that over-expression of 5-HT3 receptors decreases alcohol consumption because the presence of an increased number of 5-HT3 receptors increased the potentiation of dopamine release at lower alcohol concentrations. Thus, the animal requires less alcohol to obtain the same behavioral effect. Thus, the lower level of alcohol consumption seen in the 5-HT3 receptor over-expressing mice may be the result of increased inhibitory control over alcohol consumption We found that the 5-HT3 receptor over-expressing mice fail to behave aggressively in an intruder aggression test. They display less learned helpless behavior than wild type mice and have greater neuronal survival. We examined the impact of 5HT3 receptor over- expression on alcohol preference using a two-bottle free choice test and the impact of 5HT3 receptor over-expression on natural aggressive behavior. We found that reduced drinking behavior continued to be presented even when the transgene was expressed on an inbred strain background. These studies indicate the 5HT3 receptor plays a role in impulse control.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA448592
Entities
People
- Andrea M. Allan
Organizations
- University of New Mexico