Serotonin Flashcards
What is 5-HT
Serotonin
What is serotonin important for
1) Contracting gut muscles
2) Signalling the brain
How many serotonin receptors is there
7 families 5-HT1 to 5-HT7
Are serotonin receptors ionotropic or metabotropic
All metabotropic except 5-HT3
What are the 3 ways to study the role of serotonin
1) Neurotoxins
2) Genetic
3) Dietary interventions
What are the 4 things associated primarily with serotonin (what does it do)
1) Blood circulation
2) Eating/Satiety
3) Nausea
4) Pain perception
What is the serotonin deficiency hypothesis
Decrease serotonin in the brain can lead to increase agressive behaviors.
What are SERT
Serotonin transporters
What are SERTs job
Remove serotonin
What are SSRIs
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
What do SSRIs do
Block SERT and increase serotonin levels at synapse
What is the monoamine hypothesis of depression
Low levels of monoamines (Serotonin, Dopamine, NE) can cause depression
What are the 2 classes of antidepressant drugs
1) 1st generation
2) SSRIs
What are autorecpetors
They regulate NT release by detecting the excess NT and reducing it’s firing rate
Is a tonic firing rate fast or slow
Slow/irregular
Is a phasic firing rate fast
Yes, fast burst
What is TPH
Tryptophan hydroxylase
What does TPH do
Convert tryptophan into 5-HTP by adding a hydroxyl group, it is the first step in serotonin production
What are the 2 froms of TPH
1) Preipheral tissue (gut cells)
2) Brain
What happens if TPH is blocked
Serotonin levels decrease
