Pharmacodynamics of Serotonin. Emphasis on 5HT-3 Antagonists and SSRI Medication (I).

This paper presents a literature review of the pharmacology of serotonin. It focuses on the metabolism and transport of serotonin and on 5-HT receptors and their clinical significance. This report highlights the substances that affect serotonin signalling and body levels and may be employed in treating various disorders: either directly, by influencing the serotonin receptors or, indirectly, by inhibiting serotonin reuptake. The review will be published in two separate parts. The first part will contain a short introduction in the pharmacology of serotonin and it will emphasize the pharmacological properties of the first three of the 5-HT receptors (5-HT1, 5-HT2, 5-HT3). In the second part, the other four types of 5-HT receptors (5-HT4, 5-HT5, 5-HT6, 5-HT7) will be presented along with tendencies and prospects in influencing serotonin transporter (SERT) through selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Recent research involving serotonin aims to improve the safety and effectiveness of antidepressant therapy. In order to achieve this, scientists are developing drugs that not only target SERT, but can also act as a full or partial agonist or antagonist on certain serotonergic receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]