Serotonin

Serotonin is one of several chemical messengers in the brain, or neurotransmitters, which help brain cells communicate with one another. Among many other functions, serotonin is involved in regulating mood. Problems with making or using the right amount of serotonin have been linked to many mental disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, autism, and schizophrenia.

What is Serotonin?

Serotonin is an example of a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger that is passed between nerve cells. When a nerve impulse reaches the axon at the end of a nerve, neurotransmitters are released which cross an area called the synapse to be received by a specific receptor on the end of a target nerve. Once received by the target nerve, the neurotransmitter may either excite that nerve to fire its own signal or prevent it from firing the signal.

Serotonin Function

Serotonin Biosynthesis

Drugs Targeting the 5-HT System

Serotonin Pathology

Serotonin in Plants

The Relationship Between Serotonin and 5-HTP

Do Serotonin and Antidepressants Affect the Microbiome?

Serotonin and Aggression

Latest Serotonin News and Research

Investigational antipsychotic treatment offers sustained benefits for people with dementia-related psychosis

Evidence of the sustained benefits of an investigational antipsychotic treatment for people with dementia-related psychosis has been published.

22 Jul 2021

Gene therapy delivered into the brain may be safe, effective in treating rare neurological disorder

A new study published in Nature Communications suggests that gene therapy delivered into the brain may be safe and effective in treating aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency.

16 Jul 2021

Novel method of gene therapy promises to transform the treatment of rare genetic disorder

A novel method of gene therapy is helping children born with a rare genetic disorder called AADC deficiency that causes severe physical and developmental disabilities.

12 Jul 2021

Non-toxic derivative of tetanus neurotoxin may help treat depression, neurodegenerative diseases

Depression has been treated traditionally with inhibitors of serotonin reuptake in the central nervous system.

9 Jul 2021

Prenatal THC and CBD exposure impairs offspring's ability to respond to fluoxetine

Scientists at Indiana University have found that significant amounts of the two main components of cannabis, THC and CBD, enter the embryonic brain of mice in utero and impair the mice's ability as adults to respond to fluoxetine, a drug commonly used to treat anxiety and depression and known by the brand name Prozac.

1 Jul 2021

Declining sense of smell among older adults is more complex than previously believed

Contrary to what science once suggested, older people with a declining sense of smell do not have comprehensively dampened olfactory ability for odors in general - it simply depends upon the type of odor.

1 Jul 2021

New drug candidate may reduce anxiety-like behavior in mice

Anxiety, commonly termed as a feeling of fear, dread, and restlessness, is a perfectly normal reaction to stressful situations. However, a state of heightened anxiety, which is the reality for thousands of people who struggle to cope with these feelings, is called anxiety disorder.

29 Jun 2021

New analysis links distinct patterns of genetic mutations with OCD

In the first analysis of its kind, researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and several other institutions have linked distinct patterns of genetic mutations with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in humans.

28 Jun 2021

Study explores the potential role of gene polymorphisms in pathogenesis of prostate cancer

Oncotarget published "The presence of polymorphisms in genes controlling neurotransmitter metabolism and disease prognosis in patients with prostate cancer: a possible link with schizophrenia" reported that polymorphisms of neurotransmitter metabolism genes were studied in patients with prostate cancer (PC) characterized by either reduced or extended serum prostate-specific antigen doubling time corresponding to unfavorable and favorable disease prognosis respectively.

28 Jun 2021

Study delves into the link between smoking and suicidal behaviors

Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology residents Iván Echeverria, Miriam Cotaina and Antonio Jovani, from the Hospital Provincial of Castellón, doctor Ana Benito and doctor Gonzalo Haro from the TXP research group of the CEU UCH, and doctor Rafael Mora, have published the results of their latest research: a meta-analysis on suicide, the first cause of external death in Spain.

25 Jun 2021

Antidepressants taken during pregnancy do not increase risk for autism spectrum disorder

Women with depression and other mood disorders are generally advised to continue taking antidepressant medications during pregnancy.

24 Jun 2021

Study reviews natural drug candidates for potential treatment of COVID-19

A recent paper in the Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences seeks to open up new approaches by reviewing a list of compounds derived from plants and other natural sources, which have potential inhibitory activity against the coronavirus.

21 Jun 2021

Common antidepressant drugs help the immune system to attack tumors in mice

A class of drug called monoamine oxidase inhibitors is commonly prescribed to treat depression; the medications work by boosting levels of serotonin, the brain's "happiness hormone."

10 Jun 2021

Mast cell activation may underlie inflammation in severe COVID-19

A new preprint research paper posted to the medRxiv* server points to mast cells as major culprits in the etiology of severe and critical COVID-19. This could suggest suitable therapeutic and preventive interventions to reduce the morbidity and mortality of this viral illness.

3 Jun 2021

Research offers new hope for people affected by the microdeletion of chromosome 22

One person in 2000 suffers from a microdeletion of chromosome 22 that can lead to the development of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, in adolescence.

1 Jun 2021

Study explains why it is difficult to withdraw from certain antidepressants

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago are a step closer to discovering why it is so difficult for people to withdraw from some antidepressant medications.

28 May 2021

Vagus nerve stimulation may be a potential adjunct therapy for COVID-19

COVID-19 was initially described as lung inflammation, or pneumonia, in older adults. However, we now know that SARS-CoV-2 infections can cause a wide range of symptoms in people of all ages, ranging from no symptoms at all to systemic inflammation and even death.

27 May 2021

New peptides allow cannabis-derived drugs to fight pain in mice without side effects

An international team, led by researchers from Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) in Barcelona, Spain, David Andreu and Rafael Maldonado, has developed a peptides family that allows delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main component of Cannabis sativa, to fight pain in mice without side effects.

20 May 2021

Higher levels of inflammatory proteins in the blood are associated with aggressive traits

Aggression is common in many neuropsychiatric diseases, such as dementia, autism spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia.

18 May 2021

New peptide could allow cannabis to fight pain without side effects

Many people live with chronic pain, and in some cases, cannabis can provide relief. But the drug also can significantly impact memory and other cognitive functions.

12 May 2021

Serotonin

Overview

Serotonin Function

Serotonin Biosynthesis

Drugs Targeting the 5-HT System

Feature Articles

Serotonin Pathology

Serotonin in Plants

The Relationship Between Serotonin and 5-HTP

Do Serotonin and Antidepressants Affect the Microbiome?

Serotonin and Aggression

Latest Serotonin News and Research

Investigational antipsychotic treatment offers sustained benefits for people with dementia-related psychosis

Gene therapy delivered into the brain may be safe, effective in treating rare neurological disorder

Novel method of gene therapy promises to transform the treatment of rare genetic disorder

Non-toxic derivative of tetanus neurotoxin may help treat depression, neurodegenerative diseases

Prenatal THC and CBD exposure impairs offspring's ability to respond to fluoxetine

Declining sense of smell among older adults is more complex than previously believed

New drug candidate may reduce anxiety-like behavior in mice

New analysis links distinct patterns of genetic mutations with OCD

Study explores the potential role of gene polymorphisms in pathogenesis of prostate cancer

Study delves into the link between smoking and suicidal behaviors

Antidepressants taken during pregnancy do not increase risk for autism spectrum disorder

Study reviews natural drug candidates for potential treatment of COVID-19

Common antidepressant drugs help the immune system to attack tumors in mice

Mast cell activation may underlie inflammation in severe COVID-19

Research offers new hope for people affected by the microdeletion of chromosome 22

Study explains why it is difficult to withdraw from certain antidepressants

Vagus nerve stimulation may be a potential adjunct therapy for COVID-19

New peptides allow cannabis-derived drugs to fight pain in mice without side effects

Higher levels of inflammatory proteins in the blood are associated with aggressive traits

New peptide could allow cannabis to fight pain without side effects

World Brain Day 2021: An interview with Professor Alan Thompson

Preventing lethal blood clots

Curbing COVID-19 through border controls and restricted entry

Serotonin

Overview

Feature Articles

Serotonin Pathology

Serotonin in Plants

The Relationship Between Serotonin and 5-HTP

Do Serotonin and Antidepressants Affect the Microbiome?

Serotonin and Aggression

Latest Serotonin News and Research

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