5-HT7 receptor stimulation and blockade: a therapeutic paradox about memory formation and amnesia

OVERVIEW Mammalian memory involves multiple brain areas and neurotransmitter systems; both at the receptor and post-receptor level (Meneses, 2014a,b). Investigations of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) involvement in memory (Meneses, 2013) have been significantly enhanced by the identification, classification, and cloning of multiple receptors (Hoyer et al., 1994, 2002) and studies at the post-receptor level (Raymond et al., 2001). Emergent investigation of 5-HT7 receptor is growing but contradictory. Hence, major current questions include (1) the paradox that 5-HT7 receptor agonists and antagonists in behavioral memory tasks are revealing promnesic and antiamnesic effects; (2) 5-HT7 and 5-HT1A receptors interaction (and other 5-HT receptors), and neural markers associated to these cognitive processes and individual differences. In this work recent data are briefly revised.