Abstract
The role of serotonin (5-HT) as a mediator of the endogenous pain control system has been investigated over the last 30 years. Here we review a subset of studies that used electrophysiological techniques to study the mechanisms of action as well as the receptors mediating the spinal effects of serotonin. The works herein discussed employed in vivo or in vitro preparations of control or hyperalgesic animals. According to these reports, 5-HT triggers depressant effects on synaptic transmission limiting the release of neurotransmitters from afferent terminals or the responsiveness of NMDA receptors located in dorsal horn neurones. These mechanisms are most likely mediated by 5-HT1 receptors. In contrast, 5-HT2 receptors seem to mediate excitatory effects such as depolarisation, increased excitability, and neurotransmitter release. The role of 5-HT3 receptors is less clear as they could mediate excitatory or inhibitory effects, depending on variables such as concentration of 5-HT or the state (sensitised/unsensitised) of the spinal cord. The consequences of these spinal effects of serotonin are discussed in the context of pain and analgesia.
Keywords: analgesia, dendrites, dorsal horn neurones, Primary afferent depolarisation (PAD), NMDA transmission
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Serotonergic Modulation of Spinal Sensory Circuits
Volume: 6 Issue: 18
Author(s): Jose A. Lopez-Garcia
Affiliation:
Keywords: analgesia, dendrites, dorsal horn neurones, Primary afferent depolarisation (PAD), NMDA transmission
Abstract: The role of serotonin (5-HT) as a mediator of the endogenous pain control system has been investigated over the last 30 years. Here we review a subset of studies that used electrophysiological techniques to study the mechanisms of action as well as the receptors mediating the spinal effects of serotonin. The works herein discussed employed in vivo or in vitro preparations of control or hyperalgesic animals. According to these reports, 5-HT triggers depressant effects on synaptic transmission limiting the release of neurotransmitters from afferent terminals or the responsiveness of NMDA receptors located in dorsal horn neurones. These mechanisms are most likely mediated by 5-HT1 receptors. In contrast, 5-HT2 receptors seem to mediate excitatory effects such as depolarisation, increased excitability, and neurotransmitter release. The role of 5-HT3 receptors is less clear as they could mediate excitatory or inhibitory effects, depending on variables such as concentration of 5-HT or the state (sensitised/unsensitised) of the spinal cord. The consequences of these spinal effects of serotonin are discussed in the context of pain and analgesia.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Lopez-Garcia A. Jose, Serotonergic Modulation of Spinal Sensory Circuits, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2006; 6 (18) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156802606778522159
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156802606778522159 |
Print ISSN 1568-0266 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4294 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Chemistry Based on Natural Products for Therapeutic Purposes
The development of new pharmaceuticals for a wide range of medical conditions has long relied on the identification of promising natural products (NPs). There are over sixty percent of cancer, infectious illness, and CNS disease medications that include an NP pharmacophore, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Since NP ...read more
Current Trends in Drug Discovery Based on Artificial Intelligence and Computer-Aided Drug Design
Drug development discovery has faced several challenges over the years. In fact, the evolution of classical approaches to modern methods using computational methods, or Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD), has shown promising and essential results in any drug discovery campaign. Among these methods, molecular docking is one of the most notable ...read more
Drug Discovery in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), we have witnessed a significant boom in AI techniques for drug discovery. AI techniques are increasingly integrated and accelerating the drug discovery process. These developments have not only attracted the attention of academia and industry but also raised important questions regarding the selection ...read more
From Biodiversity to Chemical Diversity: Focus of Flavonoids
Flavonoids are the largest group of polyphenols, plant secondary metabolites arising from the essential aromatic amino acid phenylalanine (or more rarely from tyrosine) via the phenylpropanoid pathway. The flavan nucleus is the basic 15-carbon skeleton of flavonoids (C6-C3-C6), which consists of two phenyl rings (A and B) and a heterocyclic ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Downstream Processing for Production of Value Added Products from Coconut
Current Biochemical Engineering (Discontinued) A Rationale for Curcuminoids for the Prevention or Treatment of Alzheimers Disease
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents Genomic Strategies in Pharmacology of Asthma and Autoimmunity
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Primary and Secondary Prevention Trials in Alzheimer Disease: Looking Back, Moving Forward
Current Alzheimer Research Ruthenium Complexes as Anticancer Agents
Current Medicinal Chemistry Inhalational Injury: A Brief Review of Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Isothermal Calorimetry Study of the Interactions of Type I Antifreeze Proteins with a Lipid Model Membrane
Protein & Peptide Letters Evaluation of the Risk/Benefit Ratio of Old and New Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Meet Our Editorial Board Member
Current Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine Potassium Channels in Peripheral Pain Pathways: Expression, Function and Therapeutic Potential
Current Neuropharmacology New Agents Promote Neuroprotection in Parkinson’s Disease Models
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets The Mast Cell Pathway to Inflammation and Homeostasis: Pharmacolo- gical Insights
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Meet Our Section Editor
Current Medicinal Chemistry Editorial (Thematic Issue: From Current Diagnostic Tools and Therapeutics for Alzheimer's Disease Towards Earlier Diagnostic Markers and Treatment Targets)
Current Alzheimer Research Cognitive Impacts of Estrogen Treatment in Androgen-Deprived Males: What Needs to be Resolved
Current Neuropharmacology Recent Applications of Replica-Exchange Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Biomolecules
Current Physical Chemistry Breast Cancer Risks in Premenopausal Women: A Review
Current Women`s Health Reviews The Effect of Psychological Stress and Social Isolation on Neuroimmunoendocrine Communication
Current Pharmaceutical Design ADAM Proteases: Protective Role in Alzheimers and Prion Diseases ?
Current Alzheimer Research Identification of an Amyloidogenic Peptide From the Bap Protein of Staphylococcus epidermidis
Protein & Peptide Letters