IMPACT OF ADRENALECTOMY ON 5-HT6 AND 5-HT7 RECEPTOR GENE-EXPRESSION IN THE RAT HIPPOCAMPUS

Both glucocorticoid excess and decreased serotonergic (5-HT) transmiss ion may cause depression. The recently cloned 5-HT6 and 5-HT7 receptor s have high affinity for antidepressants. Here, we show that pharmacol ogical adrenalectomy increases 5-HT6 and 5-HT7 receptor mRNA expressio n in specific hippocampal subfields, effects partly reversed by cortic osterone replacement. Increased 5-HT6 and 5-HT7 receptor expression ma y provide a basis, in part, for the therapeutic actions of adrenal ste roid synthesis inhibitors in resistant depression. (C) 1997 Elsevier S cience B.V. All rights reserved.