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Serotonin modulates electrosensory processing and behavior via 5-HT2-like receptors.

E A Larson¹, M G Metzen¹, M J Chacron²

¹Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.

|May 1, 2014

Summary

Serotonin (5-HT) enhances sensory processing in electric fish by increasing neuron excitability. This study identifies serotonin 5-HT2 receptors as key mediators of this effect, impacting both neural and behavioral responses.

Keywords:

neural coding neuroethology neuromodulation weakly electric fish

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Sensory processing
Animal behavior

Background:

Efficient sensory processing is vital for survival, with neuromodulators like serotonin (5-HT) playing a key role in adapting neural responses.
The serotonergic system in weakly electric fish enhances perception by increasing excitability in electrosensory lateral line lobe (ELL) pyramidal neurons.
This enhancement is achieved through the downregulation of potassium channels, but the specific 5-HT receptors involved were unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify the specific serotonin (5-HT) receptors responsible for modulating sensory pyramidal neuron excitability and behavior in weakly electric fish.
To investigate the role of 5-HT2 receptors in mediating the effects of serotonin on neuronal and behavioral responses.

Main Methods:

In vitro electrophysiology to assess the effects of serotonin and ketanserin on pyramidal neuron excitability.
In vivo experiments to evaluate the impact of ketanserin on behavioral responses to serotonin.

Main Results:

Ketanserin, a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, blocked the effects of serotonin (5-HT) on pyramidal neuron excitability in vitro.
Subsequent application of 5-HT after ketanserin treatment did not alter neuron excitability or responses to current injection.
Ketanserin administration in vivo successfully blocked the behavioral effects induced by 5-HT.

Conclusions:

The findings strongly suggest that serotonin's effects on sensory processing in the ELL and subsequent behavior are mediated by 5-HT2 receptors.
This research elucidates the specific receptor subtype involved in serotonin-mediated sensory enhancement in electric fish.