Psychology
Event Title
The Effects of the Serotonin Agonist Sumatriptan on Aggression in a Neutral Cage in Adult Male Rats
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Subject Area
Psychology
Start Date
11-4-2014 2:30 PM
End Date
11-4-2014 4:30 PM
Sponsor
Neil Schmitzer-Torbert (Wabash College)
Description
The nucleus accumbens (NA) is a common brain area often implicated with aggression in rodents. van Erp and Miczek (2000) tested aggression in males during a thirty minute confrontation period, and reported high levels of serotonin and dopamine in the NA as compared to the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Additionally, previous studies conducted on aggression have all used the intruder-scenario as a model for testing aggression (Koolhaas et al., 2013; Olivier & Young, 2002; Tidey & Miczek 1996). Because the intruder-scenario could have a priming effect on aggression, this study for the first time investigated aggression in a neutral cage, only "priming" via manipulating neurotransmitter levels, rather than providing a behavioral reason for aggression. This study paired a neutral cage setting with high levels of serotonin in the NA to investigate a potential mechanism for "natural" aggression. Eight male rats were paired and within each pair one animal was randomly selected to receive infusions of a serotonin-receptor 5-HT1B antagonist (Sumatriptan) - which results in higher extracellular serotonin levels -to the NA, while the other was infused with saline. After 5 days of infusions, one thirty minute session for aggressive confrontation occurred for each pair of rats immediately after the pair was infused. Aggressive, offensive behaviors were operationally defined as: attack latency, rearing, lateral threat, upright posturing, clinch attacking, pinning, chasing, and biting (Koolhaas et al., 2013). Initial observations have indicated aggressing effects from the Sumatriptan-infused group; however, further statistical analysis is underway.
The Effects of the Serotonin Agonist Sumatriptan on Aggression in a Neutral Cage in Adult Male Rats
Indianapolis, IN
The nucleus accumbens (NA) is a common brain area often implicated with aggression in rodents. van Erp and Miczek (2000) tested aggression in males during a thirty minute confrontation period, and reported high levels of serotonin and dopamine in the NA as compared to the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Additionally, previous studies conducted on aggression have all used the intruder-scenario as a model for testing aggression (Koolhaas et al., 2013; Olivier & Young, 2002; Tidey & Miczek 1996). Because the intruder-scenario could have a priming effect on aggression, this study for the first time investigated aggression in a neutral cage, only "priming" via manipulating neurotransmitter levels, rather than providing a behavioral reason for aggression. This study paired a neutral cage setting with high levels of serotonin in the NA to investigate a potential mechanism for "natural" aggression. Eight male rats were paired and within each pair one animal was randomly selected to receive infusions of a serotonin-receptor 5-HT1B antagonist (Sumatriptan) - which results in higher extracellular serotonin levels -to the NA, while the other was infused with saline. After 5 days of infusions, one thirty minute session for aggressive confrontation occurred for each pair of rats immediately after the pair was infused. Aggressive, offensive behaviors were operationally defined as: attack latency, rearing, lateral threat, upright posturing, clinch attacking, pinning, chasing, and biting (Koolhaas et al., 2013). Initial observations have indicated aggressing effects from the Sumatriptan-infused group; however, further statistical analysis is underway.