[Description]
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. Serotonin plays a significant role in the pharmacodynamic activities of antidepressants, such as SSRIs (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and SNRIs (Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor). Plasma serotonin levels are associated with antidepressant response to SSRIs. Plasma serotonin increased in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. |