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Sigma-1 receptor knockout mice display a depressive-like phenotype
Valentina Sabino1, Pietro Cottone, Sarah L Parylak
1Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. vsabino@scripps.edu
Behavioural Brain Research
|December 23, 2008
Summary
Sigma-1 receptors (Sig-1R) play a role in mood regulation. Sig-1R knockout mice exhibited depressive-like behaviors, indicating these receptors are crucial for normal mood.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Sigma-1 receptors (Sig-1R) are implicated in antidepressant-like effects.
- Limited research suggests Sig-1Rs may influence anxiety-related behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Sig-1 receptors in depressive-like, anxiety-like, and motor behaviors.
- To characterize the behavioral phenotype of Sig-1R knockout mice.
Main Methods:
- Behavioral tests were conducted on Sig-1R knockout mice and wildtype littermates.
- Tests included the forced swimming test, elevated plus-maze, and light/dark box test.
- Locomotor activity was also assessed.
Main Results:
- Sig-1R knockout mice displayed increased immobility in the forced swimming test, indicative of a depressive-like phenotype.
- Anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus-maze and light/dark box tests were normal.
- Locomotor activity was not significantly different between knockout and wildtype mice.
Conclusions:
- Sig-1 receptors appear to inversely modulate depressive-like behavior.
- Sig-1Rs do not seem to be essential for normal anxiety-like behavior or locomotor activity in mice.
