What is it about?
Serotonin exerts a significant role in the mammalian central nervous system embryogenesis and brain ontogeny. Therefore, we investigate the effect of neonatal treatment of d-fenfluramine (d-FEN), a serotonin (5-HT) releaser, on the behavioral expression of adult male Swiss mice.
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Why is it important?
The programmed animals had a decrease in 5HT1a, serotonin transporter (SERT), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the mesencephalic raphe region. Alternatively, there was a reduction only in the tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH2) and BDNF expression in the hippocampus. In the light–dark box test, offspring of the treated group had higher latency to light and less time on the light side than the control. Also, it was observed less time of immobility in the tail suspension test. We also observed low motor skill learning in the rotarod test. These findings suggest that programming with d-FEN during the neonatal period alters a mesencephalic and hippocampal serotonergic system, promoting anxiety, antidepressant behavior, low coordination, and motor learning in adults.
Perspectives
These results suggest that the hyper-serotonergic state in early life may cause neuropsychiatric diseases in adulthood. Possibly, excessive serotonergic signaling may reduce serotonergic LAUREANO-MELO ET AL. 495activity through negative feedback induced by important transcription factors that needs to be further investigated.
Full Professor Ahmed R. G.
Division of Anatomy and Embryology, Zoology department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Egypt.
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Neonatal D‐fenfluramine Treatment Promotes Long‐Term Behavioral Changes in Adult Mice, International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, June 2022, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10204.
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