The study was carried out on Norway rats selected through more than 60 generations for high and low fear-induced aggressiveness towards humans (Institute of Cytology and Genetics). The intensity of aggressive behavior towards man, reflex startle response, and expression of serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene were studied. Selection for high aggression was associated with more intense startle response. The expression of 5-HTT gene in the frontal cortex was reduced significantly in rats selected for high aggression to humans in comparison with nonaggressive rats. The authors conclude that 5-HTT is involved in the regulation of genetically determined fear-induced aggression.
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Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 147, No. 1, pp. 86-89, January, 2009
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Naumenko, V.S., Kozhemjakina, R.V., Plyusnina, I.Z. et al. Expression of Serotonin Transporter Gene and Startle Response in Rats with Genetically Determined Fear-Induced Aggression. Bull Exp Biol Med 147, 81–83 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10517-009-0441-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10517-009-0441-2