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LP-211, a selective 5-HT7 receptor agonist, increases novelty-preference and promotes risk-prone behavior in rats
G Beaudet1,2, E Paizanis1, F Zoratto2
1INSERM U1075 COMETE UNICAEN, University of Caen Normandie, Caen, F-14000, France.
Synapse (New York, N.Y.)
|July 29, 2017
Summary
Stimulating serotonin 5-HT7 receptors (5-HT7Rs) with LP-211 enhanced memory consolidation and novelty recognition in rats. This 5-HT7 receptor activation also promoted risk-prone behavior by increasing preference for larger, less probable rewards.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Gambling disorder is linked to impulsivity, novelty-seeking, and neurotransmission dysregulation.
- Neurobiological mechanisms underlying gambling disorder remain unclear, with no approved pharmacological treatments.
- Serotonin 5-HT7 receptors (5-HT7Rs) are implicated in forebrain neurotransmission and may play a role in addiction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of 5-HT7 receptor stimulation using the selective agonist LP-211.
- To examine LP-211's impact on post-experience memory consolidation and novelty preference.
- To assess LP-211's influence on risk-prone behavior in a probabilistic reward task.
Main Methods:
- Rats were treated with LP-211 (0.25 and 0.50 mg/kg i.p.) during post-experience consolidation.
- Experiment 1: Novelty-preference test to assess memory consolidation and novelty recognition.
- Experiment 2: Probabilistic-Delivery Task (rPDT) to measure risk-proneness and reward-seeking behavior.
Main Results:
- LP-211 administration improved consolidation of chamber-shape memory, leading to enhanced novelty-induced hyperactivity and recognition.
- Control rats showed no preference in the novelty test, while 5-HT7R activation facilitated novelty recognition.
- In the rPDT, 5-HT7R activation shifted choices towards larger, less probable rewards, indicating increased risk-proneness and reward seeking.
Conclusions:
- 5-HT7 receptor stimulation enhances memory consolidation and novelty recognition, suggesting a role in spatial information processing.
- Activation of 5-HT7Rs promotes risk-prone behavior by increasing the valuation and seeking of larger, uncertain rewards.
- These findings suggest 5-HT7Rs, potentially via hippocampal and prefrontal cortex pathways, influence strategy formation and reward processing, warranting further investigation into specific serotonergic pathways.
