title: Serotonin involvement in the basal ganglia pathophysiology: could the 5-HT2C receptor be a new target for therapeutic strategies?
abstract: The basal ganglia are a highly interconnected group of subcortical nuclei in the vertebrate brain that play a critical role not only in the control of movements but also in some cognitive and behavioral functions. Several recent studies have emphasized that serotonergic pathways in the central nervous system (CNS) are intimately involved in the modulation of the basal ganglia and in the pathophysiology of human involuntary movement disorders. These observations are supported by anatomical evidence demonstrating large serotonergic innervation of the basal ganglia. In fact, serotonergic terminals have been reported to make synaptic contacts with dopamine (DA)-containing neurons and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-containing neurons in the striatum, globus pallidus, subthalamus and substantia nigra. These brain areas contain the highest concentration of serotonin (5-HT), with the substantia nigra pars reticulata receiving the greatest input. Furthermore, in these structures a high expression of 5-HT different receptor subtypes has been revealed. In this paper, evidence demonstrating the serotonergic control of basal ganglia functions will be reviewed, focusing on the role of the 5-HT2C receptor subtype. In addition, the involvement of 5-HT2C receptors in neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and other related motor disorders, and their management with drugs blocking the 5-HT2C receptor will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sezione di Fisiologia Umana "G. Pagano", Università di Palermo, C.soTuköry 129, 90134 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Giovanni
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Di Matteo
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pierucci
authors.forename: Arcangelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benigno
authors.forename: Ennio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Esposito
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D044405:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D044405:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D012701:Serotonin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid