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Updated: Mar 22, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing Traumatic Brain Injury Research - A Closed-Head Model for Accurate Replication and Rapid Assessment
Published on: September 22, 2023
Traumatic brain injury decreases serotonin transporter expression in the rat cerebrum
Keiichi Abe1, Ryo Shimada2, Yoshikazu Okada1
1a Department of Neurosurgery , School of Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University , Tokyo , Japan.
Objectives:
An association has been postulated between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and depression. The serotonin transporter (SERT) regulates the concentration of serotonin in the synaptic cleft and represents a molecular target for antidepressants. We hypothesized that SERT expression in the brain changes following TBI.
Methods:
We performed immunohistochemistry, real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis for mRNA and western blot analysis for protein to examine the time-dependent changes in SERT expression in the cerebrum during the first 14 days after TBI, using a controlled cortical impact model in rats.
Results:
SERT immunoreactivity in neuronal fibres within the area adjacent to the cortical contusion decreased 1 to 14 days after injury. Significantly decreased SERT mRNA and protein expression were noted in the area adjacent to the cortical contusion 7 days after injury. There were no significant changes in SERT expression in the cingulum of the injured brain.
Discussion:
The findings of this study indicate that TBI decreases SERT expression in the cerebral cortex. The decreased levels of SERT expression after TBI may result in decreased serotonin neurotransmission in the brain and indicate a possible relationship with depression following TBI.
