POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER AND SEROTONIN - NEW DIRECTIONS FOR RESEARCH AND TREATMENT

The overlap in clinical phenomenology and morbidity between post-traum atic stress disorder (PTSD) and such conditions as major depression, a nxiety disorders and aggression, in which a serotonin dysfunction is i mplicated, suggests a role for serotonin in the pathophysiology of PTS D. In this paper, we review current knowledge concerning the role of s erotonergic mechanisms and interventions in PTSD. Since there is no cl early effective pharmacologic intervention for this disorder, the unde rlying neurochemical dysfunction needs to be carefully defined so that more effective treatment can be developed. Preclinical and clinical s tudies of the serotonergic mechanisms in the pathophysiology of PTSD a nd treatment trials involving serotonergic agents are limited, but ind icate considerable promise. Further investigation of a serotonergic dy sfunction in PTSD and of its treatment with serotonergic agents is war ranted.