Ready-to-use models

No SERT transcript in Serotonine transporter Knock-out rat: Figure 1: Northern blot analysis of the SERT transcript in the Raphe Nuclei of a SERT+/+, SERT+/- and SERT-/- rats	No change in other non-serotonergic transporter activity and neuro transmitter levels
No SERT protein in Serotonine transporter Knock-out rat: Figure 2: Representative [3H]citalopram auto radiograms of 16 µm coronal sections of SERT+/+, SERT+/- and SERT-/- rats	Animals appear healthy and breed normally

Endophenotypes:

• Increased in anxiety and long-term decision making
• Decreased in impulsivity and impulsivity-related social behaviour (aggression and play)
• No change in novelty-induced locomotor activity, cognitive flexibility and attention

Disease-related phenotypes:

• Increased depression-like behaviour
• Increased cocaine self-administration, increased cocaine-induced conditioned place preference, increased cocaine-induced hyperactivity
• Decreased alcohol intake

Metabolism:

• Female-specific reduced body weight
• Serotonin is absent in blood platelets but this does not result in a change in blood pressure, basal and L-NNA-evoked

References:

• Homberg et al, Psychopharmacology, in press
• Homberg et al., European Journal of Neuroscience, in press
• Homberg et al, Neuroscience, . 2007
• Homberg et al, Hypertension, 2006
• Smits et al, Pharmacogenet Genomics, 2006,
• Olivier, Cools, and Ellenbroek, Personal communication
• Cuppen and Homberg, Personal communication