Serotonin disruption at gestation alters expression of genes associated with serotonin synthesis and reuptake at weaning.

FABIO MC; SERVIN-BERNAL IJC; DEGANO AL; PAUTASSI RM

PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2022

0033-3158

ationale: Serotonin (5-HT) is a monoamine neuromodulator that plays a key role in the organization of the central nervous system. 5-HT alterations may be associated to the emergence of social deficits and psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders. Notably, disruption of the 5-HT system during sensitive periods of development seems to exert long-term consequences, including altered anxiety responses and problematic use of alcohol.Objective: We analyzed, in mice, the effects of transient 5-HT depletion at gestation (a developmental stage when medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) 5-HT levels depend exclusively on placental 5-HT availability) on 5-HT central synthesis and reuptake at weaning. We also explored if 5-HT disruption at the embryonic stage influences behavioral outcomes that may serve as a proxy for autistic- or anxiety-like phenotypes.Methods: C57/BL6 male and female mice, born from dams treated with a 5-HT synthesis inhibitor (PCPA; 4-Chlo