Neuropharmacology of 5-hydroxytryptamine
by
L Richard Green A.
1Global Discovery CNS and Pain Control,
AstraZeneca R&D Charnwood, Bakewell Road,
Loughborough LE11 5RH.
Br J Pharmacol. 2006 Jan;147 Suppl 1:S145-52.

ABSTRACT

This review outlines the history of our knowledge of the neuropharmacology of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin), focusing primarily on the work of U.K. scientists. The existence of a vasoconstrictive substance in the blood has been known for over 135 years. The substance was named serotonin and finally identified as 5-HT in 1949. The presence of 5-HT in the brain was reported by Gaddum in 1954 and it was Gaddum who also demonstrated that the action of 5-HT (in the gut) was antagonised by the potent hallucinogen lysergic acid diethylamide. This provoked the notion that 5-HT played a pivotal role in the control of mood and subsequent investigations have generally confirmed this hypothesis. Over the last 50 years a good understanding has been gained of the mechanisms involved in control of the storage, synthesis and degradation of 5-HT in the brain. Knowledge has also been gained on control of the functional activity of this monoamine, often by the use of behavioural models. A considerable literature also now exists on the mechanisms by which many of the drugs used to treat psychiatric illness alter the functional activity of 5-HT, particularly the drugs used to treat depression. Over the last 20 years the number of identified 5-HT receptor subtypes has increased from 2 to 14, or possibly more. A major challenge now is to utilise this knowledge to develop receptor-specific drugs and use the information gained to better treat central nervous system disorders

SSRIs
Serotonin
Dopamine
Melancholia
Noradrenaline
SSRI spectrum
SSRI mechanisms
Future anxiolytics
21C antidepressants
Serotonin and psychedelics
SNaRIs, NaSSAs, and NaRIs
Serotonin and romantic lovers
The monoamine theory of depression
Fluoxetine (Prozac): 10th Anniversary
Antidepressant use by American children
Tryptophan depletion and un-cooperative behaviour

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