Psychological stress increases serotonin release in the rat amygdala and prefrontal cortex assessed by in vivo microdialysis.

The effects of psychological stress on serotonin (5-HT) release were studied in the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus and the prefrontal cortex in conscious rats with in vivo microdialysis. Psychological stress, wherein emotional factors were predominantly involved, significantly increased extracellular 5-HT levels in these two areas. These findings suggest that activation of serotonergic neurons in these brain regions is involved in the emotional and/or cognitive states in animals.