Serotonin receptor knockouts: A moody subject

Commentary Serotonin receptor knockouts: A moody subject

The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) is believed to play a significant role in determining one’s emotional state. Indeed, serotonergic synapses are sites of action for a number of mood-altering drugs, including the now-legendary antidepressant Prozac (fluoxetine) (1). As a result, there has been tremendous interest in identifying molecular components of the serotonergic sy...

Molecular mechanisms of cocaine reward: combined dopamine and serotonin transporter knockouts eliminate cocaine place preference.

Cocaine blocks uptake by neuronal plasma membrane transporters for dopamine (DAT), serotonin (SERT), and norepinephrine (NET). Cocaine reward/reinforcement has been linked to actions at DAT or to blockade of SERT. However, knockouts of neither DAT, SERT, or NET reduce cocaine reward/reinforcement, leaving substantial uncertainty about cocaine's molecular mechanisms for reward. Conceivably, the ...

5-HT2A Serotonin Receptor Density in Adult Male Rats’ Hippocampus after Morphine-based Conditioned Place Preference

Introduction: A close interaction exists between the brain opioid and serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmitter systems. Brain neurotransmitter 5-HT plays an important role in the regulation of reward-related processing. However, a few studies have investigated the potential role of 5-HT2A receptors in this behavior. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the influence of...

The earliest knockouts.

Serotonin receptor imaging: clinically useful?

Serotonin is a modulatory neurotransmitter in the human brain that regulates mood, anger, reward, aggression, and appetite and plays a central role in brain development. These effects are mediated through the interaction of serotonin with at least 15 different receptor molecules. Through the development and careful characterization of novel radiotracers, we have been able to visualize and quant...