C. Moret et M. Briley, The possible role of 5-HT1B/D receptors in psychiatric disorders and theirpotential as a target for therapy, EUR J PHARM, 404(1-2), 2000, pp. 1-12
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is implicated in several psychiatric
diseases. Is this also true for 5-HT1B/D receptors? These receptors are fou
nd in high density in substantia nigra, globus pallidus, striatum and basal
ganglia and in other brain regions. This ubiquity makes 5-HT1B/D receptors
responsible for many physiological and behavioural functions. This review
focuses on the role of 5-HT1B receptors in the regulation of 5-HT release a
nd synthesis. Microdialysis experiments performed on freely moving animals
are an interesting in vivo model to study the function of the terminal 5-HT
,, autoreceptor. Synthesis of 5-HT, estimated by the measurement of the acc
umulation of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) ex vivo or in vitro, is modulated
by the 5-HT1B autoreceptors. Many reports have shown that chronic administr
ation with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors leads to the desensitisa
tion of the terminal 5-HT1B autoreceptors. With the help of some animal mod
els of depression and anxiety and with some data from clinical studies it h
as been hypothesised that 5-HT1B receptors may be supersensitive in depress
ion, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. Thus, since the dysfunction
of 5-HT1B receptors may be involved in some pathological states, particula
rly in the psychiatric field, these receptors represent important potential
targets for drugs to treat mental diseases. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.
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