Serotonin – historical aspects and rehabilitation

Abstract

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in a variety of neurological and behavioural functions. Since its discovery in 1948, the identification of serotonin receptors and their functions is an area of research that is moving towards clinical application. Serotonin is involved in the control of numerous central nervous system functions including mood, emotions, aggression, pain, anxiety, sleep, memory, eating behaviour, addictive behaviour (alcohol and substance abuse), temperature control, endocrine regulation, and motor behaviour. Low levels of serotonin are associated with alcoholism, depression, suicide, migraine, aggressive behaviour, sleep problems, eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, and obesity) and some neurological diseases. High levels have been linked to autism, tourette's syndrome, carcinoid syndrome, and serotonin syndrome. Much remains unknown, however, new techniques in molecular biology has resulted in more detailed examination of serotonergic properties. The wide ranging symptomatology of serotonin associated disorders, proposes many challenges for rehabilitation of some of these disorders in the community which are of major public health concern in the 20th century. Treatment with Tryptophan, drugs or diet modification has been used to assist in the rehabilitation of such illnesses but problems occur in all these treatment modalities. Various drugs are already being used on a non-selective basis for treatment of serotonin deficiency diseases. There has been little work done in linking the various roles of serotonin from biochemical to physiological, clinical and treatment aspects. In a novel approach, the aim of this project is to review these roles of serotonin in humans and to provide such links via an epidemiological approach and produce recommendations for future research which will contribute to potential areas for clinical application in the treatment and rehabilitation of serotonin deficiency diseases.