Molecular manipulations as tools for enhancing our understanding of 5-HT neurotransmission

A developing trend in exploring the sites at which drugs act is to use mole cular rather than chemical agents to alter receptors, intracellular signall ing mechanisms or gene expression. The 5-HT neurotransmission system is tar geted by drugs useful in many behavioural disorders, including anxiety, dep ression, psychosis and eating disorders. It also regulates many physiologic al functions and provides some examples of the potential use of these new m olecular approaches. This article reviews the progress made in the molecula r manipulation of 5-HT receptors and discusses the potential of such tools for the treatment of diseases associated with the 5-HT transmission system.