title: 5-HT6 receptors: a novel target for cognitive enhancement.
abstract: Over the past decade, there has been increasing interest in the role of serotonin 6 (5-HT6) receptors in higher cognitive processes such as memory. Polymorphisms of the 5-HT6 receptor have been implicated in syndromes that affect cognition, such as schizophrenia and dementia. Manipulation of 5-HT6 receptor activity alters the transmission of several neurotransmitters important in memory: acetylcholine and glutamate, as well as dopamine, ã-aminobutyric acid (GABA), epinephrine (E), and norepinephrine (NE). Several 5-HT6 antagonists have been developed, advancing the understanding of the relationship between 5-HT6 blockade and memory consolidation in diverse learning paradigms. There is also evidence that 5-HT6 receptor activity affects anxiety behaviors and may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Several clinically useful atypical antipsychotics and antidepressants have 5-HT6 affinity, but recently developed selective 5-HT6 receptor antagonists may present attractive, new therapeutic options for several types of disease states.
authors: University of Washington, Box 359911, Harborview Medical Center, 325 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, USA.
authors: Ellen S
authors: ES
authors: Mitchell
authors: John F
authors: JF
authors: Neumaier
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000209:etiology; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000209:etiology; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; C097216:serotonin 6 receptor