Serotonergic reduction of dorsal central gray area stimulation-produced aversion

Stimulating electrodes were implanted into the dorsal central gray area (DCG) of rats. The animals were trained to bar press to decrement the aversive DCG stimulation current. Rats treated with 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), 75 mg/kg or 150 mg/kg, showed a dose-dependent reduction in decremental bar pressing. In a second study, animals received either chlorimipramine, 15 mg/kg, protriptyline, 15 mg/kg, or 5-HTP, 150 mg/kg. Chlorimipramine, a strong blocker of serotonin reuptake, and 5-HTP produced significant reductions in decremental bar pressing. Protriptyline, a weak serotonin reuptake blocker, produced no significant effect. These results suggest that serotonin reduces aversive neural mechanisms associated with the dorsal central gray area.