Inactivation of 5-HT neurons through systemic application of 8-OH-DPAT to Htr1aRR mice prevented arousal to CO2. A, EEG and EMG traces depicting arousal response following 7% CO2 challenges 60 min after saline (left) or 8-OH-DPAT (0.5 mg/kg; right) injection (100 μl, s.c.) in a Htr1aRR mouse. Calibration: vertical, 5 μV; horizontal, 30 s. B, Mean latency to arousal following CO2 challenge 60 min after saline (green) or 8-OH-DPAT (purple) injections in Htr1aKO and Htr1aRR mice as indicated. n = 6 per group. *p < 0.05. **p < 0.001.