Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
08:49
Rapid In Situ Hybridization using Oligonucleotide Probes on Paraformaldehyde-prefixed Brain of Rats with Serotonin Syndrome
Published on: September 23, 2015
Effects of repeated risperidone exposure on serotonin receptor subtypes in developing rats
Yong Kee Choi1, Taylor Moran-Gates, Matthew P Gardner
1Mailman Research Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA.
Summary
Long-term risperidone treatment impacts serotonin receptors in juvenile rats. This antipsychotic selectively increases 5-HT(1A) receptors and decreases 5-HT(2A) receptors, indicating a sensitive developing brain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic used for psychotic disorders in young patients.
- Long-term effects of risperidone on developing brain neuronal receptors are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of risperidone on serotonin 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2A) receptor subtypes in juvenile rat brains.
- To compare these effects with those observed in adult rats.
Main Methods:
- Juvenile rats received three doses of risperidone (0.3, 1.0, 3.0mg/kg) for 3 weeks.
- Levels of 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2A) receptors in forebrain regions were quantified.
- Results were compared to previously published data from adult rats.
Main Results:
- Risperidone dose-dependently increased 5-HT(1A) receptors in the medial-prefrontal and dorsolateral-frontal cortices of juvenile rats.
- Higher doses also increased 5-HT(1A) binding in the juvenile hippocampus (CA1), but not in adults.
- All doses reduced 5-HT(2A) labeling in the cortices of both juvenile and adult rats.
Conclusions:
- Risperidone exhibits differential, dose-dependent effects on 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2A) receptors in the developing brain.
- The juvenile serotonin system appears more sensitive to long-term risperidone exposure than the adult system.
