Effects of LSD on grooming behavior in serotonin transporter heterozygous (Sert⁺/⁻) mice.
Evan J. Kyzar, Adam Michael Stewart, Allan V. Kalueff
Behavioural Brain Research January 1, 2016 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.08.018 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe serotonin transporter (SERT) regulates serotonin signaling and is linked to psychiatric disorders like anxiety, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In mice, removing the Sert gene increases anxiety and grooming behavior. This study examined the effects of the hallucinogen LSD (0.32 mg/kg) on grooming and other behaviors in mice with one copy of the Sert gene (Sert+/-). These mice showed longer self-grooming regardless of LSD treatment. LSD increased serotonin-sensitive behaviors like head twitching and tremors in both normal and Sert+/- mice, with no significant interaction between LSD and Sert gene dosage. The results suggest Sert+/- mice respond to LSD similarly to normal mice.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Heterozygous Sert(+/-) and wild-type Sert(+/+) mice |
| Intervention | Lysergic acid diethylamide |
| Dose | 0.32 mg/kg |
| Topics | LSD |
| Keywords | Grooming Hallucinogens Serotonin transporter |
| Key finding | Sert(+/-) mice displayed longer self-grooming regardless of LSD treatment, and LSD increased serotonin-sensitive behaviors similarly in both genotypes. |
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) plays a crucial role in the brain, modulating mood, cognition and reward. The serotonin transporter (SERT) is responsible for the reuptake of 5-HT from the synaptic cleft and regulates serotonin signaling in the brain. In humans, SERT genetic variance is linked to the pathogenesis of various psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Rodent self-grooming is a complex, evolutionarily conserved patterned behavior relevant to stress, ASD and OCD. Genetic ablation of mouse Sert causes various behavioral deficits, including increased anxiety and grooming behavior. The hallucinogenic drug lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent serotonergic agonist known to modulate human and animal behavior. Here, we examined heterozygous Sert(+/-) mouse behavior following acute administration of LSD (0.32 mg/kg). Overall, Sert(+/-) mice displayed a longer duration of self-grooming behavior regardless of LSD treatment. In contrast, LSD increased serotonin-sensitive behaviors, such as head twitching, tremors and backwards gait behaviors in both Sert(+/+) and Sert(+/-) mice. There were no significant interactions between LSD treatment and Sert gene dosage in any of the behavioral domains measured. These results suggest that Sert(+/-) mice may respond to the behavioral effects of LSD in a similar manner to wild-type mice.