5-HT1B receptors and aggression : A review

• Published in: European journal of pharmacology Vol. 526; no. 1-3; pp. 207 - 217
• Main Authors: OLIVIER, Berend, VAN OORSCHOT, Ruud
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier 05-12-2005
• Subjects: Aggression - physiology; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Humans; Medical sciences; Models, Biological; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B - physiology; Receptors, Serotonin - physiology; Serotonin - physiology; Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists; 5-HT1A Serotonine receptor; 5-HT transporter; Serotonin; Aggression; 5-HT1B serotonin receptor; Neurotransmitter; 5-HT1B receptor; Review; Carrier protein; 5-HT1A receptor
• ISSN: 0014-2999; 1879-0712
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2005.09.066

The serotonergic (5-HT) system in the brain is involved in the modulation of offensive aggressive behavior. The dogma that activity of the 5-HT system is inversely related to aggression is obsolete now. Research on the status of the 5-HT system before, during and after the execution of aggression is ongoing but has not yet led to a clear picture about the actual functional role of the 5-HT system, the more because state versus trait aggression seems to play a pivotal role in the outcome. Pharmacological challenges pinpoint 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(1B) receptors as key players in the modulation of offensive aggression. This review emphasizes in particular the role of postsynaptic 5-HT(1B) (hetero) receptors as a premier site to modulate offensive aggression. Modulation of the firing and 5-HT release of the serotonergic neuron, via presynaptic 5-HT(1A) (auto) receptors, presynaptic 5-HT(1B) (auto) receptors and serotonergic transporters, may also have striking influences on aggression under certain conditions. Therefore, it is hypothesized that postsynaptic 5-HT(1B) (hetero) receptors directly influence the executive, consummatory phases of agonistic behavior, whereas presynaptic serotonergic feedback systems are particularly useful in the introductory (appetitive) phases of the agonistic behavioral complex.