[Possible involvement of serotonin receptors in anxiety disorders].
An overview of the behavioral, electrophysiological and neurochemical data found in the literature concerning the involvement of serotonin (5-HT) receptors in the regulation of anxiety was presented on the basis of animal models. At present, 5-HT receptors are classified into 7 families including at least 14 subtypes. Among these 5-HT receptors, it is conceivable that 5-HT1A-receptor-mediated effects are the most important part of the mechanism of anxiety. The demonstrated efficacy of 5-HT1A-receptor partial agonists in anxiety disorders has emphasized the importance of these receptors. Enhanced anxiety was observed in mutant mice lacking 5-HT1A receptors. In 5-HT1B receptors knockout mice, on the other hand, aggressive behavior was increased. Some of the selective antagonists acting on 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors have shown the anxiolytic effects in various animal models. Inactivation of mRNA encoding 5-HT6 receptors using antisense oligonucleotide produced decreases in cortical 5-HT release enhanced by anxiety. These observations lead to the suggestion that different mechanisms, mediated by various 5-HT receptors, are involved in the pathogenesis of anxiety.
Matsumoto
M
M
Department of Pharmacology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
Yoshioka
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists
D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists