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5-Hydroxytryptamine and punishment

Abstract

PUNISHMENT is defined as the presentation of a noxious stimulus and results in the suppression of behaviour. This suppressive effect of punishment is seen clearly in conflict situations where the organism is encouraged to respond and then is punished for doing so. Brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) systems have been implicated in the processes associated with the response to punishment. We show here that selective neurotoxin lesions to the 5-HT forebrain pathways reverse the suppressive effects of punishment, as do minor tranquillisers, supporting the view that 5-HT has a central role in conflict behaviour and in the effect of minor tranquillisers on such behaviour.

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TYE, N., EVERITT, B. & IVERSEN, S. 5-Hydroxytryptamine and punishment. Nature 268, 741–743 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/268741a0

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