Anti-aversive role of serotonin in the dorsal periaqueductal grey matter.
Psychopharmacology January 1, 1985 M T Schütz, J C De Aguiar, F G Graeff 161 citations
Injecting serotonin (5-HT) or a related drug (5-MeODMT) into the dorsal midbrain of rats made it harder to trigger escape behavior by electrically stimulating the dorsal periaqueductal grey matter (DPAG). The drug 5-MeODMT was more potent than serotonin itself. Blocking certain serotonin receptors (with metergoline or ketanserin) eliminated this effect, while boosting serotonin levels (with zimelidine) enhanced it. These findings suggest that serotonin normally inhibits aversion in the DPAG, likely through 5-HT2 receptors.