Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) has been studied for over 50 years as a neurotransmitter, but it would be misleading to say that a complete understanding has been achieved of how the 5-HT system is regulated in the brain. Advances in biotechnology and neuroscience have provided a vast storehouse of data regarding the operation of individual 5-HT system components and their influence on aspects of 5-HT function and behavior. Genetic variation at system components can have substantial effects on the function of individual components. And interaction among components is a staple of presynaptic control of neurotransmitter systems. A control system approach is well suited to systematically studying the influence of component variation on aspects of system function. In this chapter we review important advances in our understanding of the 5-HT system and outline a control system approach that is likely to add to our knowledge of 5-HT system function and its influence on behavior. In addition, the control system approach may provide insight into the control of neurotransmitter systems that can be utilized in drug development and in treatment of psychiatric disorders associated with serotonergic dysfunction.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Neural Synapse Research Trends |
| Publisher | Nova Science Publishers, Inc. |
| Pages | 133-171 |
| Number of pages | 39 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781614703563 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781600215759 |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2007 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine
- General Neuroscience