bioRxivNeurosciencePreprint
Serotonin modulates nucleus accumbens circuits to suppress aggression
Zihui ZhangiD, Gavin C. TouponseiD, Pia J. AldermaniD, Teema YassineiD, Matthew B. PomrenzeiD, Troy W. Harris, Amei N. Shank, Robert C. MalenkaiD, Neir EsheliD
Abstract
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5HT) has long been considered anti-aggressive, but the mechanisms by which 5HT regulates downstream circuits to control aggression remain unclear. Combining fiber photometry, optogenetics, and miniaturized microscope recordings in double-transgenic mice, we find that 5HT levels ramp up in the nucleus accumbens during aggression, inhibiting a subset of D1 medium spiny neurons to suppress attacks. Our results reveal a novel 5HT-mediated neuromodulatory mechanism for limiting aggressive behavior.
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