Document Detail


Neuropharmacology of 5-hydroxytryptamine.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  16402098     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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.
Authors:
A Richard Green
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Historical Article; Journal Article; Portraits    
Journal Detail:
Title:  British journal of pharmacology     Volume:  147 Suppl 1     ISSN:  0007-1188     ISO Abbreviation:  Br. J. Pharmacol.     Publication Date:  2006 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2006-01-10     Completed Date:  2006-12-27     Revised Date:  2009-11-18    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7502536     Medline TA:  Br J Pharmacol     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  S145-52     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Global Discovery CNS and Pain Control, AstraZeneca R and D Charnwood, Bakewell Road, Loughborough LE11 5RH. richard.green@astrazeneca.com
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
Brain / drug effects,  physiology*
Great Britain
History, 20th Century
History, 21st Century
Humans
Receptors, Serotonin / drug effects,  history,  physiology
Serotonin / history*,  physiology
Serotonin Agents / history,  pharmacology,  therapeutic use
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Antidepressive Agents; 0/Receptors, Serotonin; 0/Serotonin Agents; 50-67-9/Serotonin
Comments/Corrections

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