BEHAVIORAL FUNCTIONS OF 5-HT1A RECEPTORS IN ORBITOFRONTAL CORTEX OF RATS By

Cannula were implanted in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), a prefrontal region of the brain, of 17 rats. The behavior of these animals was observed after intracerebral infusion or intraperitoneal injection of 8-OH-DPAT, a serotonin-1A agonist. Behavior paradigms used were the open field, social interaction, forced swim and prepulse inhibition tests. Intracerebral infusion of 8-OH-DPAT increased exploratory behavior, had a weak anxiety-reducing effect, and decreased social interaction of the rats, but did not affect depression like behavior or sensorimotor gating. Systemic injection of 8-OH-DPAT had an antidepressant-like effect. Results indicate a role of 5-HT1A receptors in the OFC in regulating social and emotional behaviors, and may have implications for psychopathology. Prefrontal 3 Behavioral Functions of 5-HT1A Receptors in Orbitofrontal Cortex of Rats The prefrontal cortex appears to have a role in ‘executive functions ’ in the brain, including coordinating perceptual input, predicting rewards and making goals, makin