5-HT1B receptors and aggression:: A review

The serotonergic (5-HT) system in the brain is involved in the modulation of offensive aggressive behavior. The dogma that activity of the 5-HT system is inversely related to aggression is obsolete now. Research on the status of the 5-HT system before, during and after the execution of aggression is ongoing but has not yet led to a clear picture about the actual functional role of the 5-HT system, the more because state versus trait aggression seems to play a pivotal role in the outcome. Pharmacological challenges pinpoint 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptors as key players in the modulation of offensive aggression. This review emphasizes in particular the role of postsynaptic 5-HT1B (hetero) receptors as a premier site to modulate offensive aggression. Modulation of the firing and 5-HT release of the serotonergic neuron, via presynaptic 5-HT1A (auto) receptors, presynaptic 5-HT1B (auto) receptors and serotonergic transporters, may also have striking influences on aggression under certain conditions. Therefore, it is hypothesized that postsynaptic 5-HT1B (hetero) receptors directly influence the executive, consummatory phases of agonistic behavior, whereas presynaptic serotonergic feedback systems are particularly useful in the introductory (appetitive) phases of the agonistic behavioral complex. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.