Serotonin: a Classic Neurotransmitter Linked with Many Disorders
Serotonin: A Classic Neurotransmitter Linked with Many Disorders
Serotonin has a range of influences on the neurological and physiological function of the body. It has a significant influence on sensitivity to pain, emotionality, and a behavioral response to positive and negative consequences. Serotonin, along with other major neurotransmitters, is also linked with psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. Serotonin, or HT-5, also has an effect on sleep, eating patterns, and thermoregulation (Meyer et al., 2005). These seem to contribute to depressive symptoms in animals with depleted stores of 5-H. There are now 14 discernable types of serotonin receptor subtypes. Subtypes 2B, 2C, 4, and 6 have all been linked with depression and anxiety (Tohda et al., 2006). Recent research shows that altering 5-HT2CR mRNA to track the origin of depressive diseases may reveal conclusive information about the origin of neurochemical imbalances. (Tohda et al., 2006) There are different approaches to raise serotonin levels in the brain to normal levels. The most commonly prescribed antidepressants are classified as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. SSRIs regulate the serotonin transporter, SERT, which slows the reuptake of the neurotransmitter into the presynpatic terminals. While new, more effective drugs with fewer side effects are being deliberated there have been newer ways to attempt to regulate serotonin imbalances. A recent discovery of small interfering RNA molecules may drastically change the treatment of depression and all other neurological diseases. Specially designed siRNA can be used to alter mRNA which will alter the translated protein. This process can be used to silence or increase the potency of its targeted protein (Thakker et al., 2006). Daniel Hoyer, Ph.D. is a highly published scientist often involved in research concerning the neurotransmitter serotonin. In two recent experiments Daniel Hoyer has dealt with the efficacy of treatment for
Serotonin has a range of influences on the neurological and physiological function of the body. It has a significant influence on sensitivity to pain, emotionality, and a behavioral response to positive and negative consequences. Serotonin, along with other major neurotransmitters, is also linked with psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. Serotonin, or HT-5, also has an effect on sleep, eating patterns, and thermoregulation (Meyer et al., 2005). These seem to contribute to depressive symptoms in animals with depleted stores of 5-H. There are now 14 discernable types of serotonin receptor subtypes. Subtypes 2B, 2C, 4, and 6 have all been linked with depression and anxiety (Tohda et al., 2006). Recent research shows that altering 5-HT2CR mRNA to track the origin of depressive diseases may reveal conclusive information about the origin of neurochemical imbalances. (Tohda et al., 2006) There are different approaches to raise serotonin levels in the brain to normal levels. The most commonly prescribed antidepressants are classified as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. SSRIs regulate the serotonin transporter, SERT, which slows the reuptake of the neurotransmitter into the presynpatic terminals. While new, more effective drugs with fewer side effects are being deliberated there have been newer ways to attempt to regulate serotonin imbalances. A recent discovery of small interfering RNA molecules may drastically change the treatment of depression and all other neurological diseases. Specially designed siRNA can be used to alter mRNA which will alter the translated protein. This process can be used to silence or increase the potency of its targeted protein (Thakker et al., 2006). Daniel Hoyer, Ph.D. is a highly published scientist often involved in research concerning the neurotransmitter serotonin. In two recent experiments Daniel Hoyer has dealt with the efficacy of treatment for
References: Kalkman, Hans O., Natarajan Subramanian, and Daniel Hoyer. (2001) Extended Radioligand Binding Profle of Iloperidone: a Broad Spectrum Dopamine/Serotonin/Norepinephrine Receptor Antagonist for the Management of Psychotic Disorders. Neuropsychopharmacology, 25 Meyer, Jerrold, & Quenzer, Linda (2005). Psychopharmacolgy: Drugs, the brain, and behavior.Sunderland: Sinauer Associates. Thakker, DR, F Natt, D Husken, H van der Putten, R Maier, D Hoyer, and JF Cryan. (2005) siRNA-mediated knockdown of the serotonin transporter in the adult mouse brain. Molecular Psychiatry, 10 Thakker, D, Daniel Hoyer, and John Cryan. (2006) Interfering with the brain:Use of RNA interference for understanding pathophysiology of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 109 Tohda, Miehihisa, Michio Nomura, and Yasuyuki Nomura. (2006) Molecular Pathopharmacology of 5-HT2C Receptors and the RNA Editing in the Brain. Journal of Pharmacological Sciences, 100(5) (Kalkman et al., 2001)