The role of accumbens serotonin in stress-induced locomotor suppression in rats.

Abstract

The effect of post-footshock injections of serotonergic agonists into the nucleus accumbens on formation of the open field deficit, has been studied in rats. It was found that the deficient open field behavior, examined 24 h after learned helplessness training, was not modified by local injection of serotonin, buspirone, ipsapirone and ICS 205 930, as well as by peripherally administered citalopram. It is concluded that accumbens serotonin system does not seem to contribute to the balance in the activity of local dopaminergic and GABAergic neurotransmitter mechanisms, previously shown to mediate some behavioral effects of stressors.