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Book

Physiology, Serotonin

Omar A. Bamalan  1 , Marlyn J. Moore  2 , Yasir Al Khalili  3
In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.
.
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Book

Physiology, Serotonin

Omar A. Bamalan et al.
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Excerpt

Serotonin, or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a neurotransmitter with an integral physiological role in the human body; it regulates various activities, including behavior, mood, memory, and gastrointestinal homeostasis. Serotonin is synthesized in the raphe nuclei of the brainstem and the enterochromaffin cells of the intestinal mucosa.

Serotonin is a primary treatment target for many psychiatric and neurological disorders associated with decreased CNS and plasma serotonin concentration, such as major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorders.

Other neurotransmitters (such as norepinephrine and dopamine) are also targets of treatment for the pathologies mentioned above; however, therapies that affect serotonin are often considered first-line in pharmacologic management in addition to other interventions such as lifestyle changes, physical exercise, and psychotherapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Omar Bamalan declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Marlyn Moore declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Yasir Al Khalili declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

References

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    1. Masand PS, Gupta S. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors: an update. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 1999 Jul-Aug;7(2):69-84. - PubMed

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