The effects of the 5-HT1A receptor on aggression: a comparison between vertebrates and invertebrates

Sluiter, C. (2015) The effects of the 5-HT1A receptor on aggression: a comparison between vertebrates and invertebrates. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

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Abstract

Aggression is a highly conserved behavior among animals, and plays a crucial role in survival and fitness. It is well known that the brain neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) plays an important role in the initiation, maintenance and termination of aggressive behavior. The 5-HT system is one of the oldest neurotransmitter systems, and is exceptionally well-conserved among vertebrates and invertebrates. There are many 5-HT receptor subtypes, but especially the 5-HT1A receptor has frequently been implicated in the modulation of aggressive behavior. Activation of the 5-HT1A receptor seems to have a potent inhibitory effect on the display of aggressive behaviors in vertebrate species, whereas it seems to have a potentiating effect on aggression in invertebrate species. The 5-HT1A receptor in vertebrates is expressed both pre- and postsynaptically. The presynaptic 5-HT1A receptor acts as an autoreceptor, and activation causes cell hyperpolarization and consequently an inhibition of 5-HT release. The postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptor acts as a heteroreceptor on various non-serotonergic neurochemical systems, and activation also leads to cell hyperpolarization and inhibition of neurotransmitter release. Invertebrates have 5-HT1A receptor homologues, which are important for proper execution of aggressive behavior, and activation can lead to higher levels of aggression. In this paper, I will review the differences between the effects of the 5-HT1A receptor on aggression between vertebrates and invertebrates.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	15 Feb 2018 08:09
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2018 08:09
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/13477

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