Serotonin and anxiety

Benekareddy et al observed the phenomenon that rats who were maternally separated show increased levels of induced anxiety-related behaviour during adulthood. Type 2 serotonin receptors have been implicated in anxiety related behaviour and may be suitable targets for reducing anxiety response. Benekareddy et al report that treatment with ketanserin (a serotonergic antagonist) during postnatal life blocked the long-lasting effects of maternal separation on anxiety behavior in the open field test and the elevated plus maze. Immediate Early Genes such as Arc have been found to be significantly affected in expression (Benekareddy et al). The downstream and upstream gene products of Arc were partly elucidated and presented in a pathway.

Benekareddy 等研究者观察到，在成年期表现出母性分离现象的鼠类，其诱导的焦虑相关行为水平有所上升。5-羟色胺受体2型（Type 2 serotonin receptors）已被认为与焦虑相关行为有关，并可能成为降低焦虑反应的潜在靶点。Benekareddy 等人报告称，在出生后期间使用ketanserin（一种5-羟色胺拮抗剂）治疗，能够阻断母性分离对开放场测试和上升加法迷宫中焦虑行为的长期影响。如Arc等即时早期基因（Immediate Early Genes）在表达上受到显著影响（Benekareddy 等人）。Arc基因的上游和下游产物部分得到了阐明，并在一条通路中进行了展示。