Js. Sprouse et Lo. Wilkinson, INNOVATIVE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS BY TARGETING SEROTONIN 1A RECEPTORS SELECTIVELY, International review of psychiatry, 7(1), 1995, pp. 5-15
Serotonin 1A receptors are being targeted by a variety of drugs, inclu
ding partial agonists, full agonists, and antagonists. Some serotonin
1A receptors are presynaptic autoreceptors, and others are postsynapti
c. Drug actions on serotonin 1A receptors of one type do not necessari
ly parallel those at another type. Thus, it may be that the balance of
drug actions at pre- versus postsynaptic serotonin 1A receptors expla
ins the therapeutic potential of such agents in anxiety and depression
. This article reviews the pharmacological concepts underlying the act
ions of serotonin 1A full agonists, partial agonists and antagonists o
n both presynaptic and postsynaptic serotonin 1A receptors. The theore
tical applications of each type of agent in a variety of clinical appl
ications are also discussed, including anxiety, depression, and other
novel uses including memory and alcohol abuse. The potential clinical
relevance of interactions between serotonin 1A receptors and other ser
otonin receptors, particularly serotonin 2 receptors, is also discusse
d.