Impact of Serotonin Transporter Absence on Brain Insulin Receptor Expression, Plasma Metabolome Changes, and ADHD-like Behavior in Mice fed a Western Diet.

The impaired function of the serotonin transporter (SERT) in humans has been linked to a higher risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, especially as people age. Consuming a "Western diet" (WD), which is high in saturated fats, cholesterol, and sugars, can induce metabolic syndrome. Previous research indicated that mice carrying a targeted inactivation of the gene (knockout, KO) and fed a WD display significant metabolic disturbances and behaviors reminiscent of ADHD.

Relationship among α‑synuclein, aging and inflammation in Parkinson's disease (Review).

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative pathology whose major clinical symptoms are movement disorders. The main pathological characteristics of PD are the selective death of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra and the presence of Lewy bodies containing α-synuclein (α-Syn) within these neurons. PD is associated with numerous risk factors, including environmental factors, genetic mutations and aging.

Molecular signature of excessive female aggression: study of stressed mice with genetic inactivation of neuronal serotonin synthesis.

Aggression is a complex social behavior, critically involving brain serotonin (5-HT) function. The neurobiology of female aggression remains elusive, while the incidence of its manifestations has been increasing. Yet, animal models of female aggression are scarce.

Serotonin Transporter (SERT) Expression Modulates the Composition of the Western-Diet-Induced Microbiota in Aged Female Mice.

The serotonin transporter (SERT), highly expressed in the gut and brain, is implicated in metabolic processes. A genetic variant of the upstream regulatory region of the gene encoding SERT, the so-called short (s) allele, in comparison with the long (l) allele, results in the decreased function of this transporter, altered serotonergic regulation, an increased risk of psychiatric pathology and type-2 diabetes and obesity, especially in older women. Aged female mice with the complete (: KO) or partial (: HET) loss of SERT exhibit more pronounced negative effects following their exposure to a Western diet in comparison to wild-type (: WT) animals.

Understanding the Role of Oxidative Stress, Neuroinflammation and Abnormal Myelination in Excessive Aggression Associated with Depression: Recent Input from Mechanistic Studies.

Aggression and deficient cognitive control problems are widespread in psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD). These abnormalities are known to contribute significantly to the accompanying functional impairment and the global burden of disease. Progress in the development of targeted treatments of excessive aggression and accompanying symptoms has been limited, and there exists a major unmet need to develop more efficacious treatments for depressed patients.