Involvement of the serotonergic system in orexin-induced behavioral alterations in rats.

We have demonstrated involvement of the serotonergic system in orexin-induced behavioral responses in rats. Orexin-A and -B (hypocretin-1 and -2) significantly increased total locomotor activity when administered centrally. They also induced behavioral alterations; increasing grooming, face washing and wet dog shaking in rats. Haloperidol inhibited orexin-induced hyperlocomotion and these behavioral alterations. Serotonin antagonists, ritanserin and metergoline, did not attenuate orexin-induced hyperlocomotion but partly inhibited orexin-induced behavioral alterations. These results suggest that the dopaminergic system might be involved in orexin-induced hyperlocomotion, while both the serotonergic system as well as the dopaminergic system might be involved in orexin-induced behavioral responses.