Serotonin Transporter Defect Disturbs Structure and Function of the Auditory Cortex in Mice

Abstract

Serotonin transporter (SERT) modulates the level of 5-HT and significantly affects the activity of serotonergic neurons in the central nervous system. The manipulation of SERT has lasting neurobiological and behavioral consequences, including developmental dysfunction, depression, and anxiety. Auditory disorders have been widely reported as the adverse events of these mental diseases. It is unclear how SERT impacts neuronal connections/interactions and what mechanism(s) may elicit the disruption of normal neural network functions in auditory cortex. In the present study, we report on the neuronal morphology and function of auditory cortex in SERT knockout (KO) mice. We show that the dendritic length of the fourth layer (L-IV) pyramidal neurons and the second-to-third layer (L-II/III) interneurons were reduced in the auditory cortex of the SERT KO mice. The number and density of dendritic spines of these neurons were significantly less than those of wild-type neurons. Also, the frequency-tonotopic organization of primary auditory cortex was disrupted in SERT KO mice. The auditory neurons of SERT KO mice exhibited border frequency tuning with high-intensity thresholds. These findings indicate that SERT plays a key role in development and functional maintenance of auditory cortical neurons. Auditory function should be examined when SERT is selected as a target in the treatment for psychiatric disorders.

Resveratrol prevents hearing loss and a subregion specific- reduction of serotonin reuptake transporter induced by noise exposure in the central auditory system

“…SERT plays an important role in regulating clearance of extracellular 5-HT. Interestingly, some previous studies have suggested that SERT is highly expressed in some subregions of IC and Au1 (Papesh and Hurley, 2012;Pan et al, 2021). However, it is unclear whether noise exposure differentially impacts SERT in subregions of auditory system.…”

Electroconvulsive Therapy Modulates Loudness Dependence of Auditory Evoked Potentials: A Pilot MEG Study

“…An abundance of literature now exists exploring the relationship between the LDAEP and other neurotransmitter systems and biomarkers (18, 19). While evidence for the LDAEP’s relationship with serotonin is controversial, it is clear serotonergic activity serves a critical role in the functioning of the primary auditory cortex (18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24). Numerous studies provide robust support for the influence of serotonergic activity on neuronal functioning across auditory processing pathways (25, 26, 27, 28).…”

Phylogenetic analyses of 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 (5-HT3) receptors in Metazoa

“…For example swimming behaviour in Nudipleura molluscs is strongly associated with neural synaptic strength generated by serotonergic neuromodulation [6]. 5-HT participates in auditory behaviour of cats, mice [7][8][9][10] and also in Mexican free tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana), where intraperitoneally applied 5-HT altered the relation between species-specific communication calls [11]. Tph2 knock out mice lack 5-HT in the brain and lose gender preference suggesting that 5-HT and serotonergic neurons in the adult brain regulate mammalian sexual preference [12,13].…”