About Serotonin

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter produced naturally in the brain that is known to influence a number of important bodily processes, including renal function, immune response, gastrointestinal operation, cardiovascular function and mood stabilization. Also called 5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT, serotonin can be obtained through diet, through supplementation, or through prescription medications. Disruption in serotonin levels can result in a wide range of physical and psychological disorders, and extremely high levels of serotonin in the body can be potentially fatal.

Significance

• A disruption in the synthesis, uptake, or metabolism of serotonin has been linked to a range of disorders, including depression, mania, obsessive-compulsive and other anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and learning disabilities. Mood, aggression, appetite, sex drive, thought processing, and the sleep/wake cycle are all essential functions directly influenced by serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin affects numerous brain functions and interacts with a host of other neurotransmitters. The brain's dependence on optimum levels of this neurotransmitter for overall health and well-being is so significant that medications prescribed to treat disorders caused by serotonin deficiencies, such as Prozac and Zoloft, are some of the most commonly prescribed medications on the market.

History

• Serotonin was first isolated and named by three colleagues at the Cleveland Clinic, Arda Green, Irvine Page and Maurice M. Rapport, in 1948. The neurotransmitter's name reflects its initial identification as a vasoconstrictor in blood serum, and the term serotonin means a serum agent that affects a vascular tone. Later, serotonin was chemically identified as 5-HT, or 5-hydroxytryptamine. 5-HT is now the preferred name for the neurotransmitter in most medical and pharmacological fields.

Function

• Serotonin, which originates in neurons located deep inside the midline of the brainstem, affects a number of brain functions, both directly and indirectly. Serotonin assists in the relay of messages from one region of the brain to another, and disruption in the brain's serotonin receptors and/or transporters has been identified as a possible cause for a large number of neurological and psychological disorders.
  Outside of the brain, serotonin affects the endocrine system and the functioning of the heart and muscles. It acts as a peripheral signal mediator, and can be found in large amounts in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as in blood platelets. Serotonin has recently been implicated as a factor in dysregulation of milk production following childbirth, and may be one underlying cause of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. Serotonin may also play a role in liver regeneration and may inhibit bone formation.

Benefits

• Through its primary function as a regulating neurotransmitter for mood, aggression, appetite, and sex drive, serotonin is extremely beneficial when used to correct deficits in these areas. Optimum levels of serotonin lead to a sense of well-being and may improve overall health. The development of medications intended to increase levels of serotonin, or make the neurotransmitter more available inside the brain, have significantly helped ease the symptoms of depression and anxiety for millions of people.

Warning

• Serotonin syndrome is a rare, but very serious complication associated with excessive serotonin levels in the body. Extremely high levels of serotonin are difficult to reach accidentally, but can result in potentially fatal toxicity. Generally, it requires an overdose on a combination of serotonergic medications to produce levels high enough to result in serotonin syndrome. For this reason, careful monitoring of medications must be undertaken to prevent the development of this syndrome.