Endogenous serotonin facilitates hippocampal long-term potentiation at CA3/CA1 synapses

J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2015 Feb;122(2):177-85. doi: 10.1007/s00702-014-1246-7. Epub 2014 May 29.

Abstract

Encoding of episodic memory requires long-term potentiation (LTP) of neurotransmission at excitatory synapses of the hippocampal circuitry. Previous data obtained with the application of exogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in hippocampal slices indicate that 5-HT blocks LTP, which contrasts with the facilitatory effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on learning and memory observed in vivo. Here, we investigated the effects of endogenous 5-HT, released from terminals by the monoamine releaser 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), on LTP of field EPSPs induced by theta-burst stimulation and recorded at CA3/CA1 synapses of rat hippocampal slices. LTP was greater in the presence of MDMA (10 µM; 45.76 ± 15.75%; n = 28) than in controls (31.26 ± 11.03; n = 21; p < 0.01). This facilitatory effect on LTP persisted when the entry of MDMA in noradrenergic terminals was prevented by the selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor nisoxetine (44.90 ± 14.07%; n = 27 vs. 34.49 ± 12.94%; n = 20 in controls; p < 0.05). In both conditions, the facilitation of LTP was abolished by the SSRI citalopram that prevented the entry of MDMA in 5-HT terminals and the subsequent 5-HT release. These data show that, unlike exogenous 5-HT application, release of endogenous 5-HT does not impair cellular mechanisms responsible for induction of LTP, indicating that 5-HT is not detrimental to learning and memory. Moreover, facilitation of LTP by endogenous 5-HT may underlie the in vivo positive effects of augmented 5-HT tone on cognitive performance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Biophysics
  • CA1 Region, Hippocampal / cytology*
  • CA3 Region, Hippocampal / cytology*
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Fluoxetine / analogs & derivatives
  • Fluoxetine / pharmacology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Long-Term Potentiation / drug effects
  • Long-Term Potentiation / physiology*
  • Male
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / pharmacology
  • Nerve Net / drug effects
  • Nerve Net / physiology
  • Pyramidal Cells / drug effects
  • Pyramidal Cells / physiology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Serotonin / metabolism*
  • Serotonin Agents / pharmacology
  • Synapses / drug effects
  • Synapses / physiology*

Substances

  • Serotonin Agents
  • Fluoxetine
  • nisoxetine
  • Serotonin
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine