title: The 5-HT2A serotonin receptor in executive function: Implications for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases.
abstract: Executive function entails the interplay of a group of cognitive processes enabling the individual to anticipate consequences, attain self-control, and undertake appropriate goal-directed behaviour. Serotonin signalling at serotonin 2A receptors (5-HT2AR) has important effects on these behavioural and cognitive pathways, with the prefrontal cortex (PFC) as the central actor. Indeed, the 5-HT2ARs are highly expressed in PFC, where they modulate cortical activity and local network oscillations (brain waves). Numerous psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases result in disrupted executive function. Animal and human studies have linked these disorders with alterations in the 5-HT2AR system, making this an important pharmacological target for the treatment of disorders with impaired cognitive function. This review aims to describe the current state of knowledge on the role of 5-HT2AR signalling in components of executive function, and how 5-HT2AR systems may relate to executive dysfunctions occurring in psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. We hope thereby to provide insight into how pharmacotherapy targeting the 5-HT2AR may ameliorate (or exacerbate) aspects of these disorders.
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratory for Stereology and Neuroscience, Copenhagen University Hospital Bispebjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: Susana.aznar.kleijn@regionh.dk.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aznar
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratory for Stereology and Neuroscience, Copenhagen University Hospital Bispebjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Mona El-Sayed
authors.initials: Mel-S
authors.lastname: Hervig
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000378:metabolism; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A
keywords: Cognition; Fronto-amygdala pathways; Fronto-striatal pathways; Neurodegenerative disorders; Neuropsychiatric disorders; Prefrontal cortex; Serotonin 2A receptor