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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Observational Fear as a Model of Affective Empathy in Mice
Published on: November 22, 2024
Expression of serotonin transporter gene and startle response in rats with genetically determined fear-induced
V S Naumenko1, R V Kozhemjakina, I Z Plyusnina
1Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia. naumenko2002@mail.ru
Abstract:
The study was carried out on Norway rats selected through more than 60 generations for high and low fear-induced aggressiveness towards humans (Institute of Cytology and Genetics). The intensity of aggressive behavior towards man, reflex startle response, and expression of serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene were studied. Selection for high aggression was associated with more intense startle response. The expression of 5-HTT gene in the frontal cortex was reduced significantly in rats selected for high aggression to humans in comparison with nonaggressive rats. The authors conclude that 5-HTT is involved in the regulation of genetically determined fear-induced aggression.
