In vivo Serotonin release and learned helplessness

doi:10.1016/0165-1781(94)90074-4

Psychiatry Research

Volume 52, Issue 3, June 1994, Pages 285-293

https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-1781(94)90074-4 Get rights and content

Abstract

Learned helplessness, a behavioral depression caused by exposure to inescapable stress, is considered to be an animal model of human depressive disorder. Like human depression, learned helplessness has been associated with a defect in serotonergic function, but the nature of this relationship is not entirely clear. We have used in vivo microdialysis brain perfusion to measure serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) in extracellular space of medial frontal cortex in conscious, freely moving rats. Basal 5HT levels in rats perfused before exposure to tail-shock stress did not themselves correlate with subsequent learned helplessness behavior. However, 5HT release after stress showed a significant increase with helpless behavior. These data support the hypothesis that a cortical serotonergic excess is causally related to the development of learned helplessness.

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In vivo Serotonin release and learned helplessness

Abstract

Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior

Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior

Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior

Neuropharmacology

Journal of Affective Disorders

Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry

Brain Research

Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior

Life Sciences

Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior

Brain Research

Brain Research Bulletin

Behavior and Neural Biology

Behavioral and Neural Biology

Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior

Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior

Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior

Brain Research Reviews

Life Sciences

An in vivo dialysis and behavioral study of the release of 5-HT by p-chloroamphetamine in reserpine-treated rats

British Journal of Pharmacology