Understanding Seratonin

Paper Summary:

This paper takes a look at seratonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT), one of the most important neurotransmitters in the human brain. The paper discusses how seratonin plays an important role in the central nervous system and effects mood, sleep, vomiting, sexuality and appetite. This paper explores the biochemical factors that affect serotonin levels and the pharmacological treatment of these disorders.

Outline:
Seratonin Synthesis and Reuptake
Seratonin and Its Role in Depression
Pharmacology

From the Paper:

"There is another drug, tianiptine, which is designed to enhance, rather than prohibit presynaptic neuronal reuptake of serotonin, which in turn decreases transmission. This is the opposite of the SSRIs that we discussed earlier. Both of these types of drugs were found to significantly improve clinical depression (Nickel et al, 2003). This study has several implications for the way SSRIs are administered. This research suggests that it is not the initial increase or decrease that is important, but that a process of normalization takes place as a result of the drug therapy. The ultimate goal, it would seem is to achieve a balance without producing an overage or underage. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Biver F, Wikler D, Lotstra F, Damhaut P, Goldman S, Mendlewicz J. 1997. Serotonin 5-HT2 receptor imaging in major depression: focal changes in orbito-insular cortex. Br J Psychiatry 1997 Nov; 171:444-8.
• Dunkley, E.J.C., et al., Hunter Serotonin Toxicity Criteria: a simple and accurate diagnostic decision rule for serotonin toxicity. Quarterly Journal of Medicine, 2003. 96: p. 635-642.
• Green, R. (2006). Neuropharmacology of 5-hydroxytryptamine. Br J Pharmacol. 2006 Jan;147 Suppl 1:S145-52.
• McEwen BS; Conrad CD; Kuroda Y; Frankfurt M; Magarinos AM; McKittrick C (1997). Prevention of stress-induced morphological and cognitive consequences Eur Neuropsychopharmacol, 1997 Oct, 7 Suppl 3:, S323-8.
• Nickel T, Sonntag A, Schill J, Zobel AW, Ackl N, Brunnauer A, Murck H, Ising M, Yassouridis A, Steiger A, Zihl J, and Holsboer F. (2003). Clinical and neurobiological effects of tianeptine and paroxetine in major depression. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2003 Apr;23(2):155-68.

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