Postnatal changes in the expressions of serotonin 1A, 1B, and 2A receptors in ten brain stem nuclei of the rat: implication for a sensitive period.

ABSTRACT: A critical period in respiratory network development occurs in the rat around postnatal days (P) 12-13, when abrupt neurochemical, metabolic, and physiological changes were evident. As serotonin and its receptors are involved in respiratory modulation, and serotonergic abnormality is implicated in sudden infant death syndrome, we hypothesized that 5-HT receptors are significantly downregulated during the critical period. This was documented recently for 5-HT(2A)R in several respiratory nuclei. The present study represents a comprehensive analysis of postnatal development of 5-HT(1A)R and 5-HT(1B)R in 10 brain stem nuclei and 5-HT(2A)R in six nuclei not previously examined. Optical densitometric analysis of immunohistochemically-reacted neurons from P2 to P21 indicated four developmental pa

SUBMITTER: Liu Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2787897 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature