THE NON-ANTIEMETIC USES OF SEROTONIN 5-HT3 RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS - CLINICAL-PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS

The discovery of multiple subtypes of the serotonin 5-HT receptor has generated enormous interest over the past few years. Possibly the most exciting, in terms of psychiatric clinical practice, appeared to be t he 5-HT3 receptor, Early animal studies suggested that the 5-HT3 recep tor antagonists, in addition to their well recognised antiemetic use, might be clinically useful in a number of areas. These included anxiet y disorders, psychotic disorders, drug and alcohol abuse disorders, de pressive disorders, cognitive disorders, the treatment of pain and the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. With the exception of antiemet ic actions, this review examines these potential therapeutic areas car efully, paying particular attention not only to the animal literature, but to the clinical studies which have resulted from these initial fi ndings, Unfortunately, studies in many of these therapeutic areas have not lived up to their initial promise. Indeed, no clinical studies ha ve yet clearly demonstrated the usefulness of 5-HT3 receptor antagonis ts in the treatment of CNS disorders. Nonetheless, in view of the abse nce of published results from double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in many of these therapeutic areas, further research would be useful in confirming the effectiveness, or otherwise, of this group of compou nds.