Serotonin Flashcards
what is the full name of serotonin?
5-hydroxytryptamine
what is the precursor of 5HT?
l-tryptophan
how many serotonin receptors and groups are there?
14 receptors in 5 groups
what are the 5 groups of serotonin receptors?
5HTR1 5HTR2 5HTR3 5HTR6/7/4 5HTR3
what is SERT?
serotonin transporter
what are 5 drugs which affect the presynaptic reuptake of serotonin?
para-chlorophenylalanine reseperine SSRIs para-chlorophetamine receptor (ant) agonists
what are four therapeutic uses of drugs targeting 5HT synapses?
depression
schizophrenia
migraine
nausea and vomiting
what are four biological functions of serotonin?
hunger
pain perception
anxiety
depression
how is serotonin implicated in the hunger function?
implements ‘hunger state’ in zebrafish and in humans, serotonin is involved in feeding and appetite
how is serotonin implicated in pain perception?
serotonin neurons exhibit a phasic response to footshocks and so they play a role in coding aversive stimuli
how is serotonin implicated in anxiety?
dampens mPFCs response to vHPC input
if serotonin levels are higher, there is increased inhibition of presynaptic VHC input onto paremetal cells and therefore lower anxiety levels
how is serotonin implicated in depression?
tryptophan-depletion has been linked to the onset of depressive episodes.
also depression is linked to a reduction of serotonin in the neocortex
