Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Serotonin modulates nucleus accumbens circuits to suppress aggression in mice.
- Year:
- 2026
- Authors:
- Zhang Z et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences · United States
- Species:
- rodent
Abstract
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5HT) has long been considered anti-aggressive, but the mechanisms by which 5HT regulates downstream circuits to control aggression remain unclear. Combining fiber photometry, optogenetics, and miniaturized microscope recordings in double-transgenic male mice, we find that 5HT levels ramp up in the nucleus accumbens during aggression, inhibiting a subset of D1 medium spiny neurons to suppress attacks. Our results reveal a novel 5HT-mediated neuromodulatory mechanism for limiting aggressive behavior.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/41690929