Cannabinoid type-1 receptor signaling in central serotonergic neurons regulates anxiety-like behavior and sociability

Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience

Dusan eBartsch¹  Tillmann eWeber¹  Martin eHäring²  Vanessa eEnk²  Inigo eRuiz De Azua²  Alejandro eAparisi Rey²  Beat eLutz²  Krisztina eMonory²  Sebastian eLoch² 

[1] Central Institute of Mental Health;University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz;

关键词: Anxiety;    Raphe Nuclei;    Serotonin;    sociability;    CB1 receptor;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00235

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The endocannabinoid system possesses neuromodulatory functions by influencing the release of various neurotransmitters, including γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate. A functional interaction between endocannabinoids and the serotonergic system has already been suggested. Previously, we showed that cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor mRNA and protein are localized in serotonergic neurons of the raphe nuclei, implying that the endocannabinoid system can modulate serotonergic functions. In order to substantiate the physiological role of the CB1 receptor in serotonergic neurons of the raphe nuclei, we generated serotonergic (5-HT) neuron-specific CB1 receptor-deficient mice, using the Cre/loxP system with a tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase under the control of the regulatory sequences of the tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene (TPH2-CreERT2), thus, restricting the recombination to 5-HT neurons of the central nervous system. Applying several different behavioral paradigms, we revealed that mice lacking the CB1 receptor in serotonergic neurons are more anxious and less sociable than control littermates. Thus, we were able to show that functional CB1 receptor signaling in central serotonergic neurons modulates distinct behaviors in mice.

【 授权许可】

Unknown