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The present contribution describes the effects of 5-HTlA, 5-HTl,, 5-HTlc, 5-HTID, 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 ligands in preclinical models of anxiety and aggression in rodents. 5-HTIA agonists show up as strong anxiolytic drugs in some animal paradigms, but not in all, and their behavioural profile is clearly different from that of benzodiazepines. ~-HT,,,,,,,, ligands have mixed effects in anxiety paradigms; anxiolytic as well as anxiogenic responses have been observed, and some compounds were devoid of activity. The 5-HT2 ligands have no clear-cut anxiolytic effects either, whereas 5-HT3 antagonists seem to exert anxiolytic effects, at least in some animal anxiety models. In offensive aggression, 5-HT1, agonists are not specifically anti-aggressive, presumably due to sedation and interference with serotonergic behaviour. Mixed 5-HTIA,,, agonists appear specific antiaggressive agents, reducing offence without sedative or other unwanted side-effects. Extensive studies have indicated that the 5-HTIB or some combination of 5-HT,,,,, receptors specifically modulates this anti-offence effect (serenic-profile). Neither 5-HTlc, 5-HT2 nor 5-HT3 receptor ligands appear to have antiaggressive effects. These preclinical data await human studies in order to find new clinically therapeutic entities.