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

Study sheds light on the pathogenic brain mechanisms associated with evolution of anxiety

Monoamine neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine play important roles in our cognitive and emotional functions.

5 Aug 2022

Repurposing an antipsychotic drug to treat various types of cancer

To treat some of the psychosis issues associated with Parkinson's disease, physicians often prescribe pimavanserin, an antipsychotic drug that acts within the brain to prevent hallucinations and delusions.

28 Jul 2022

Genetic variations in one serotonin receptor could be the reason behind psychedelic treatment disparity

When all else fails, some patients trying to overcome alcoholism, severe depression or anxiety, and even cluster headaches, turn to psychedelic drugs, which clinical research has shown can help treat individuals with these conditions, sometimes with dramatically positive results.

27 Jul 2022

Genetic variations in serotonin receptor causes different response to psychedelic drugs

Cluster headaches, anxiety and depression can be debilitating for people living with these conditions. Psychedelic drugs have shown benefits as treatments for these conditions in clinical studies, but not for everyone.

27 Jul 2022

What is the role of psychedelic drugs in the treatment of psychiatric disorders?

A new study aimed to determine the clinical applications of psychedelic drugs along with psychedelic-assisted therapy for different psychiatric disorders.

25 Jul 2022

Review: No clear evidence that serotonin levels are responsible for depression

After decades of study, there remains no clear evidence that serotonin levels or serotonin activity are responsible for depression, according to a major review of prior research led by UCL scientists.

20 Jul 2022

Commonly prescribed class of migraine drugs may be effective in treating obesity

Triptans, a commonly prescribed class of migraine drugs, may also be useful in treating obesity, a new study by scientists at UT Southwestern suggests.

11 Jul 2022

What causes insomnia and how to treat it?

A new study evaluates the symptoms of insomnia and its treatment as reported by patients in primary care settings.

5 Jul 2022

Study uncovers a new, specific target for developing treatments for cocaine addiction

Researchers have found that blocking certain acetylcholine receptors in the lateral habenula (LHb), an area of the brain that balances reward and aversion, made it harder to resist seeking cocaine in a rat model of impulsive behavior.

28 Jun 2022

Kratom: A dangerous or beneficial plant?

A new study summarizes the traditional and modern uses of kratom, as well as its pharmacology, benefits, and adverse health impacts.

23 Jun 2022

Prenatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals may affect the developing offspring's brain

Prenatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in everyday products may interfere with the developing offspring's brain, according to a rat study being presented Monday at ENDO 2022, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in Atlanta, Ga.

13 Jun 2022

New, soft implantable probe can monitor fluctuations in brain chemicals

A new string-like implant can monitor fluctuations in brain chemicals, like a fitness tracker for the brain.

1 Jun 2022

Surprising outcomes trigger release of noradrenaline in the brain, MIT study finds

When your brain needs you to pay attention to something important, one way it can do that is to send out a burst of noradrenaline, according to a new MIT study.

1 Jun 2022

Ketamine uses a previously unknown pathway to produce an antidepressant effect, study finds

For the 280 million people suffering from depression globally, relief cannot come fast enough. Monoaminergic antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) take weeks to months to take effect and do not work for more than one in three patients.

26 May 2022

Maternal antidepressant use during pregnancy does not increase epilepsy risk in babies

A new study suggests that antidepressant use by mothers during the first trimester of pregnancy does not increase the chances of epilepsy and seizures in babies.

11 May 2022

New methods can make spinal cord less excitable and could be used to treat muscle spasms

Poor sleep, difficulty moving and injuries from hitting something accidentally are just some of the challenges faced by suffers of often-painful involuntary muscle spasms.

11 May 2022

Deficiency of YWHAZ gene alters neurodevelopmental process in zebrafish

An article published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry reveals the molecular mechanisms to explain how the YWHAZ gene –related to psychiatric and neurological disorders such as autism and schizophrenia– can alter the neurodevelopmental process.

10 May 2022

Healthy Mediterranean diet helps young men to beat depression

Depression is a common mental health condition that affects approximately 1 million Australians each year. It is a significant risk factor for suicide, the leading cause of death in young adults.

9 May 2022

Love is in the air...detected by PTR-TOF

Scientists from the German Max Planck Gesellschaft found out that a characteristic signature of volatile molecules is found in the breath of sexually aroused people. The test subjects exhaled less isoprene and carbon dioxide, while the concentration of degradation products of certain neurotransmitters increased.

From Ionicon Analytik Ges.m.b.H. 9 May 2022

Study finds a bidirectional link between gastrointestinal issues and internalized symptoms in kids with autism

Children with autism spectrum disorder tend to experience gastrointestinal issues, such as constipation and stomach pain, at a higher rate than their neurotypical peers.

26 Apr 2022

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

Study sheds light on the pathogenic brain mechanisms associated with evolution of anxiety

Repurposing an antipsychotic drug to treat various types of cancer

Genetic variations in one serotonin receptor could be the reason behind psychedelic treatment disparity

Genetic variations in serotonin receptor causes different response to psychedelic drugs

What is the role of psychedelic drugs in the treatment of psychiatric disorders?

Review: No clear evidence that serotonin levels are responsible for depression

Commonly prescribed class of migraine drugs may be effective in treating obesity

What causes insomnia and how to treat it?

Study uncovers a new, specific target for developing treatments for cocaine addiction

Kratom: A dangerous or beneficial plant?

Prenatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals may affect the developing offspring's brain

New, soft implantable probe can monitor fluctuations in brain chemicals

Surprising outcomes trigger release of noradrenaline in the brain, MIT study finds

Ketamine uses a previously unknown pathway to produce an antidepressant effect, study finds

Maternal antidepressant use during pregnancy does not increase epilepsy risk in babies

New methods can make spinal cord less excitable and could be used to treat muscle spasms

Deficiency of YWHAZ gene alters neurodevelopmental process in zebrafish

Healthy Mediterranean diet helps young men to beat depression

Love is in the air...detected by PTR-TOF

Study finds a bidirectional link between gastrointestinal issues and internalized symptoms in kids with autism

Crying out for new disease diagnoses

Understanding the emotions behind memories

Sustainable Science; What does the future look like?

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

Crying out for new disease diagnoses

Understanding the emotions behind memories

Sustainable Science; What does the future look like?

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