title: Modulatory role of serotonin in neural information processing: implications for human psychopathology.
abstract: Investigation of the role of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HT), which functions as a modulator in the central nervous system, across behavioral contexts suggests that a general principle of transmitter function may be derived that is independent of specific behaviors and specific neural loci. A functional principle of 5-HT action in neural information processing in the central nervous system is proposed. Extremes deviations in 5-HT activity result in biases in information processing that may have direct effects on behavior. Such biases may predispose to pathological conditions such as violent suicide and aggression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, St. Paul Ramsey Medical Center, Minnesota 55101-2595.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Spoont
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology; D001519:Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008959:Models, Neurological; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D013405:Suicide
chemical_list: D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012701:Serotonin