Understanding the role of serotonin in psychiatric diseases

F1000Res. 2017 Feb 23:6:180. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.10094.1. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Serotonin (5-HT) continues to attract researchers' interest after almost a century. However, despite these efforts, its role has not yet been fully elucidated. It is now evident that 5-HT does not modulate single functions but rather a multiplicity of activities and behaviors present in both normal and several pathological conditions in a less deterministic way than previously assumed. This article aims to briefly review some of the latest advancements in the general role of 5-HT in psychiatry, particularly in depression, and offer the author's personal reflections.

Keywords: depression; pathophysiology; psychiatric disorders; serotonin.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

The author(s) declared that no grants were involved in supporting this work.