Serotonergic neurons project to virtually all regions of the central nervous system and are consequently involved in many critical physiological functions such as mood, sexual behavior, feeding, sleep/wake cycle, memory, cognition, blood pressure regulation, breathing, and reproductive success. Therefore, serotonin release and serotonergic neuronal activity have to be precisely controlled and m...

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is a 41-amino acid neuropeptide that is involved in stress-related physiology and behavior, including control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Members of the CRF family of neuropeptides, including urocortin 1 (UCN 1), UCN 2, and UCN 3, bind to the G protein-coupled receptors, CRF type 1 (CRF1) and CRF2 receptors. In addition, CRF binding pro...

Monoamines are strong modulators and/or activators of spinal locomotor networks. Thus monoaminergic fibers likely contact neurons involved in generating locomotion. The aim of the present study was to investigate the serotonergic innervation of locomotor-activated neurons within the thoraco-lumbar spinal cord following induction of hindlimb locomotion. This was determined by immunohistochemical...

Although antipsychotics have been available for almost 70 years and greatly improved outcomes individuals with schizophrenia, all currently options derive their efficacy from blockade of dopaminergic receptors. However, this mechanism action leaves many symptoms unresolved is associated a significant side effect burden. The mechanisms underlying which were initially thought to be related excess...

Monoamines are strong modulators and/or activators of spinal locomotor networks. 21 Thus, monoaminergic fibers likely contact neurons involved in generating locomotion. The aim 22 of the present study was to investigate the serotonergic innervation of locomotor-activated 23 neurons within the thoraco-lumbar spinal cord following induction of hindlimb locomotion. This 24 was determined by immuno...

Although, since the 60’s the processes involved in pharmacological overstimulation of serotonergic receptors were well known1, the diagnostic criteria for Serotonergic syndrome (SS) was defined thirty years later by Sternbach2. SS is a serious and potentially life threatening condition which could manifest itself as a pharmacological side effect, clinically characterized by the presence of a tr...

The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) projects serotonergic axons throughout the brain and is involved in a variety of physiological functions. However, it also includes a large population of cells that contain other neurotransmitters. To clarify the physiological and pharmacological differences between the serotonergic and non-serotonergic neurons of the DRN, their postsynaptic responses to 5hydroxyt...

In the brain, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) controls a multitude of physiological and behavioral functions. Serotonergic neurons in the raphe nuclei give rise to a complex and extensive network of axonal projections throughout the whole brain. A major challenge in the analysis of these circuits is to understand how the serotonergic networks are linked to the numerous functions of this n...