Motor activity induces release of serotonin in the dorsal horn of the rat lumbar spinal cord.

Full Abstract

Literature highlights that serotonergic descending pathways are implicated in somatosensory functions in the spinal cord and that serotonin (5-HT) in the dorsal horn might play a role in motor function through proprioceptive feedback. We hypothesized that 5-HT release in dorsal horn might represent an important factor in the completion of locomotion by facilitation of the spinocerebellar tract and/or by modulation of spinal reflex pathways. The present study demonstrates that during locomotor activity, 5-HT is released in layers II, III, IV, V of Rexed. Microdialysis in combination with HPLC was used to measure concentrations of neurotransmitters in the lumbar dorsal horn before, during, and after a treadmill running exercise. Our results show a significant 41% increase of 5-HT release within the dorsal horn during the exercise. 5-HT release is temporally related to exercise. The present study demonstrates that dorsal horn 5-HT release might modulate locomotion.

Author information

Author/s: Gerin, Christine (C); Teilhac, Jean-Rene (JR); Smith, Kristin (K); Privat, Alain (A);

Affiliation: Institut des Neurosciences de Montpellier, INSERM U-583, Montpellier, France. cgerin(-atsign-)uic.edu

Grants: G11 HD039879-05 (Agency:NICHD NIH HHS) ; G11HD039879 (Agency:NICHD NIH HHS) ; R01 NS023868-12 (Agency:NINDS NIH HHS) ; R01NS023868 (Agency:NINDS NIH HHS) ; R25 GM059218-01S10003 (Agency:NIGMS NIH HHS) ; R25GM059218 (Agency:NIGMS NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Neuroscience letters (Neurosci Lett), published in Ireland. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-May; vol 436 (issue 2) : pp 91-5

Dates: Created 2008/04/21; Completed 2008/08/13; Revised 2009/06/23;

PMID: 18400395, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 6/24/2009, IMS Date: )

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