The brain 5-HT4 receptor binding is down-regulated in the Flinders Sensitive Line depression model and in response to paroxetine administration

The 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT₄) receptor may be implicated in depression and is a new potential target for antidepressant treatment. We have investigated the brain 5-HT₄ receptor [³H]SB207145 binding in the Flinders Sensitive Line rat depression model by quantitative receptor autoradiography, and related this to 5-HT transporter ( S )-[ N -methyl-³H]citalopram binding. We also determined the regulation of 5-HT₄ receptor binding by 1, 14, and 21 days of paroxetine administration and subchronic 5-HT depletion, and compared this with changes in 5-HT_2A receptor [³H]MDL100907 binding. In the Flinders Sensitive Line, the 5-HT₄ receptor and 5-HT transporter binding were decreased in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus, and the changes in binding were directly correlated within the dorsal hippocampus. Chronic but not acute paroxetine administration caused a 16–47% down-regulation of 5-HT₄ receptor binding in all regions evaluated including the basal ganglia and hippocampus, while 5-HT depletion increased the 5-HT₄ receptor binding in the dorsal hippocampus, hypothalamus, and lateral globus pallidus. In comparison, the 5-HT_2A receptor binding was decreased in the frontal and cingulate cortices after chronic paroxetine administration, and markedly reduced in several regions after 5-HT depletion. Thus, the 5-HT₄ receptor binding was decreased in the Flinders Sensitive Line depression model and in response to chronic paroxetine administration.