title: Preclinical evidence for the role of serotonin receptor-subtypes in depression.
abstract: Serotonin (5-HT) plays an important role in depression and specific 5-HT reuptake blockers appear to be clinically important antidepressants. It is unclear however, which serotonergic mechanism is involved in the antidepressant effect, certainly when regarding the existence of at least seven 5-HT receptor subtypes. By testing different 5-HT ligands in two animal models of depression (forced swimming and DRL72-S test) and comparison with data from literature, evidence is provided for potential antidepressant qualities of 5-HT1A receptor-agonists and 5-HT1C receptor-antagonists. Compounds binding to 5-HT1B, 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors do not have an antidepressant profile. Results of clinical research support the predicted antidepressive effects of 5-HT1A receptor-agonists.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Olivier
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schipper
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: van der Heyden
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Hest
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mos
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Tulp