Serotonin transporter activity in platelets and canine aggression

✍ Scribed by Belén Rosado; Sylvia García-Belenguer; Jorge Palacio; Gema Chacón; Ainara Villegas; Ana I. Alcalde

• Book ID: 113939706
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 138 KB
• Volume: 186
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1090-0233
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.07.029

✦ Synopsis

Several studies have suggested an inhibitory action of the serotonergic system in the regulation of canine aggression, but the role of the serotonin (5-HT) transporter (5-HTT) has not been investigated. Platelet 5-HT uptake has been proposed as a peripheral marker of brain 5-HTT. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between platelet 5-HTT activity and canine aggression by measuring the rate of 5-HT uptake mediated by 5-HTT in platelets and serum concentrations of 5-HT in both aggressive (n
=14) and non-aggressive dogs (n
=17). Aggressive dogs showed significantly higher 5-HT uptake by 5-HTT in platelets and lower serum concentrations of 5-HT, compared with the control group. These results suggested an association between an alteration in the serotonergic system and canine aggression, possibly mediated by an increased 5-HT transport.