The involvement of dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) in stress-induced stereotypies in bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus).

In order to clarify the dependency of stress-induced stereotypies on dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) functioning, undisturbed and acutely stressed stereotyping bank voles were treated during 3 weeks with the commonly used human atypical neurolepticum clozapine and the SSRI antidepressant citalopram. Clozapine blocks DA receptors (D sub (4)) and acts as a partial 5-HT antagonist (5-HT sub (2) receptors), while citalopram increases 5-HT transmitter activity. Levels of stereotypies were quantified under undisturbed conditions during the treatment period and immediately after the acute stress of handling and injections. It was demonstrated that stereotypies are markedly increased after acute stress and that citalopram effectively mitigates this stress effect. Stereotypies under undisturbed conditions were left unaffected by both clozapine and citalopram treatments.It is suggested that stress-induced increases in stereotypies are more dependent on 5-HT than DA functioning.