Anti-anhedonic effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors with affinity for sigma-1 receptors in picrotoxin-treated mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Prefrontal dopamine release by the combined activation of 5-HT_1A and sigma-1 (σ₁ ) receptors is enhanced by the GABA_A receptor antagonist picrotoxin in mice. Here, we examined whether this neurochemical event was accompanied by behavioural changes.

Experimental approach

Male mice were treated with picrotoxin to decrease GABA_A receptor function. Their anhedonic behaviour was measured using the female encounter test. The expression of c-Fos was determined immunohistochemically.

Key results

Picrotoxin caused an anxiogenic effect on three behavioural tests, but it did not affect the immobility time in the forced swim test. Picrotoxin decreased female preference in the female encounter test and attenuated t

SUBMITTER: Hasebe S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5289945 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature