Opposite control of mesocortical and mesoaccumbal dopamine pathways by serotonin2B receptor blockade: Involvement of medial prefrontal cortex serotonin1A receptors

- The effects of 5-HT2BR blockade on DA outflow result from mPFC 5-HT1AR stimulation.
- Blockade of 5-HT2BRs increases DRN 5-HT neuronal firing rate.
- Systemic and DRN 5-HT2BR blockade increases mPFC 5-HT outflow.
- Blockade of DRN 5-HT2BRs increases mPFC DA outflow and decreases it in the NAc.
- DA changes induced by DRN 5-HT2BR blockade are prevented by mPFC 5-HT1AR blockade.

Recent studies have shown that serotonin2B receptor (5-HT2BR) antagonists exert opposite facilitatory and inhibitory effects on dopamine (DA) release in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc), respectively, thereby leading to the proposal that these compounds could provide an interesting pharmacological tool for treating schizophrenia. Although the mechanisms underlying these effects remain unknown, several data in the literature suggest that 5-HT1ARs located into the mPFC could participate in this interaction. The present study, using in vivo microdialysis and electrophysiological recordings in rats, assessed this hypothesis by means of two selective 5-HT1AR (WAY 100635) and 5-HT2BR (RS 127445) antagonists. WAY 100635, administered either subcutaneously (0.16 mg/kg, s.c) or locally into the mPFC (0.1 μM), blocked the changes of mPFC and NAc DA release induced by the intraperitoneal administration of RS 127445 (0.16 mg/kg, i.p.). The administration of RS 127445 (0.16 mg/kg, i.p.) increased both dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) 5-HT neuron firing rate and 5-HT outflow in the mPFC. Likewise, mPFC 5-HT outflow was increased following the intra-DRN injection of RS 127445 (0.032 μg/0.2 μl). Finally, intra-DRN injection of RS 127445 increased and decreased DA outflow in the mPFC and the NAc, respectively, these effects being reversed by the intra-mPFC perfusion of WAY 100635. These results demonstrate the existence of a functional interplay between mPFC 5-HT1ARs and DRN 5-HT2BRs in the control of the DA mesocorticolimbic system, and highlight the clinical interest of this interaction, as both receptors represent an important pharmacological target for the treatment of schizophrenia.