Serotonin: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Serotonin.svg|300px|thumb|right|Skeletal formula of a serotonin molecule.]]

'''Serotonin''', also known as '''5-hydroxytryptamine''' ('''5-HT'''), is a [[monoamine]] [[neurotransmitter|neurotransmitter]] affecting the [[serotonin]] [[receptors]] (5-HT1-7). Serotonin is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract, platelets, and in the central nervous system of animals including humans. It is popularly thought to be a contributor to feelings of well-being and happiness.

'''Serotonin''', also known as '''5-hydroxytryptamine''' ('''5-HT'''), is a [[monoamine]] [[neurotransmitter|neurotransmitter]] affecting the [[serotonin]] [[receptors]] (5-HT1-7). Serotonin is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract, platelets, and in the central nervous system of animals including humans. It is popularly thought to be a contributor to feelings of well-being and happiness.{{citation needed}}

Approximately 90% of the human body's total serotonin is located in the digestive system, where it is used to regulate intestinal movements. The remainder is synthesized in serotonergic [[neurons]] of the CNS, where it has various functions. These include the regulation of mood, appetite, heart rate and sleep.

Approximately 90% of the human body's total serotonin is located in the digestive system, where it is used to regulate intestinal movements. The remainder is synthesized in serotonergic [[neurons]] of the CNS, where it has various functions. These include the regulation of mood, appetite, heart rate and sleep.{{citation needed}}

Serotonin also has some cognitive functions, including memory and learning. In the blood, it serves as a [[vasoconstriction|vasoconstrictor]], and could be attributed as the cause of vasoconstriction in most serotonergic drugs.

Serotonin also has some cognitive functions, including memory and learning. In the blood, it serves as a [[vasoconstriction|vasoconstrictor]], and could be attributed as the cause of vasoconstriction in most serotonergic drugs.{{citation needed}}

==Chemistry==

[[File:Indole_numbered.png|210px|thumb|right|Skeletal formula of indole molecule with ring positions numbered.]]

[[File:Monoamine_chain.png|210px|thumb|right|Skeletal formula of monoamine chain molecule.]]

Serotonin is comprised of a monoamine chain attached to an indole ring at the third carbon. A monoamine chain is made up of an amine group attached to an ethane chain. This monoamine chain can be found in many neurotransmitters, including [[histamine|histamine]], [[dopamine|dopamine]], [[adrenaline|adrenaline]] and [[noradrenaline|noradrenaline]]. It's also found in many drugs, examples being [[tryptamines]] and [[phenethylamines]].

Serotonin is comprised of a monoamine chain attached to an indole ring at the third carbon. A monoamine chain is made up of an amine group attached to an ethane chain. This monoamine chain can be found in many neurotransmitters, including [[histamine|histamine]], [[dopamine|dopamine]], [[adrenaline|adrenaline]] and [[noradrenaline|noradrenaline]]. It is also found in many drugs, examples being [[tryptamines]] and [[phenethylamines]].

Seratonin is ~~synthesysed~~ from the α-amino acid tryptophan~~, wich~~ is hydroxylated into the metabolic intermediate 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), then decarboxylated into ~~seratonin~~. This process requires the co-enzyme vitamin B6. Supliments of both tryptophan and 5-HTP are widely avalable, and are fairly safe, but do pose some harm when combined with some drugs like seratonin releaseing agents, as this can cause seratonin syndrome.

Seratonin is synthesized from the α-amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is hydroxylated into the metabolic intermediate 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and then decarboxylated into serotonin. This process requires the co-enzyme vitamin B6.{{citation needed}}

==Serotonin system==

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Many [[antipsychotics]] like [[haloperidol]] or [[quetiapine]] and anti-emetics are serotonin receptor antagonists. One example is galanolactone, a chemical found in ginger, that acts as an anti-emetic via its action as a 5-HT3 antagonist.

==Serotonin syndrome==

==Toxicity and harm potential==

===Serotonin syndrome===

Extremely high levels of serotonin can cause a condition known as serotonin syndrome that has toxic and potentially fatal effects. Serotonin syndrome, also known as serotonin toxicity, can be induced via overdose of particular drugs and some drug combinations where both substances have serenonergic actions. Many drug interactions have been found to cause serotonin syndrome, the most notorious of which being the combination of an SSRI antidepressant and an [[MAOI]] antidepressant.

Extremely high levels of serotonin can cause a condition known as serotonin syndrome that has toxic and potentially fatal effects. Serotonin syndrome, also known as serotonin toxicity, can be induced via overdose of particular drugs and some drug combinations where both substances have serenonergic actions. Many drug interactions have been found to cause serotonin syndrome, the most notorious of which being the combination of an SSRI antidepressant and an [[MAOI]] antidepressant.{{citation needed}}

Symptoms can start showing within minutes and can include increased heart rate, sweating, anxiety, hyperthermia, shivering, high blood pressure, agitation, seizures, and rarely death. Symptoms usually resolve after 24 hours, but can last up to several months in some cases.

Symptoms can start showing within minutes and can include increased heart rate, sweating, anxiety, hyperthermia, shivering, high blood pressure, agitation, seizures, and rarely death. Symptoms usually resolve after 24 hours, but can last up to several months in some cases.{{citation needed}}

==See also==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{headerpanel|{{stub}}}}
 [[File:Serotonin.svg|300px|thumb|right|Skeletal formula of a serotonin molecule.]]
-'''Serotonin''', also known as '''5-hydroxytryptamine''' ('''5-HT'''), is a [[monoamine]] [[neurotransmitter|neurotransmitter]] affecting the [[serotonin]] [[receptors]] (5-HT<sub>1-7</sub>). Serotonin is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract, platelets, and in the central nervous system of animals including humans. It is popularly thought to be a contributor to feelings of well-being and happiness.
+'''Serotonin''', also known as '''5-hydroxytryptamine''' ('''5-HT'''), is a [[monoamine]] [[neurotransmitter|neurotransmitter]] affecting the [[serotonin]] [[receptors]] (5-HT<sub>1-7</sub>). Serotonin is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract, platelets, and in the central nervous system of animals including humans. It is popularly thought to be a contributor to feelings of well-being and happiness.{{citation needed}}
-Approximately 90% of the human body's total serotonin is located in the digestive system, where it is used to regulate intestinal movements. The remainder is synthesized in serotonergic [[neurons]] of the CNS, where it has various functions. These include the regulation of mood, appetite, heart rate and sleep.
+Approximately 90% of the human body's total serotonin is located in the digestive system, where it is used to regulate intestinal movements. The remainder is synthesized in serotonergic [[neurons]] of the CNS, where it has various functions. These include the regulation of mood, appetite, heart rate and sleep.{{citation needed}}
-Serotonin also has some cognitive functions, including memory and learning. In the blood, it serves as a [[vasoconstriction|vasoconstrictor]], and could be attributed as the cause of vasoconstriction in most serotonergic drugs.
+Serotonin also has some cognitive functions, including memory and learning. In the blood, it serves as a [[vasoconstriction|vasoconstrictor]], and could be attributed as the cause of vasoconstriction in most serotonergic drugs.{{citation needed}}
 ==Chemistry==
 [[File:Indole_numbered.png|210px|thumb|right|Skeletal formula of indole molecule with ring positions numbered.]]
 [[File:Monoamine_chain.png|210px|thumb|right|Skeletal formula of monoamine chain molecule.]]
-Serotonin is comprised of a monoamine chain attached to an indole ring at the third carbon. A monoamine chain is made up of an amine group attached to an ethane chain. This monoamine chain can be found in many neurotransmitters, including [[histamine|histamine]], [[dopamine|dopamine]], [[adrenaline|adrenaline]] and [[noradrenaline|noradrenaline]]. It's also found in many drugs, examples being [[tryptamines]] and [[phenethylamines]].
+Serotonin is comprised of a monoamine chain attached to an indole ring at the third carbon. A monoamine chain is made up of an amine group attached to an ethane chain. This monoamine chain can be found in many neurotransmitters, including [[histamine|histamine]], [[dopamine|dopamine]], [[adrenaline|adrenaline]] and [[noradrenaline|noradrenaline]]. It is also found in many drugs, examples being [[tryptamines]] and [[phenethylamines]].
-Seratonin is synthesysed from the α-amino acid tryptophan, wich is hydroxylated into the metabolic intermediate 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), then decarboxylated into seratonin. This process requires the co-enzyme vitamin B6. Supliments of both tryptophan and 5-HTP are widely avalable, and are fairly safe, but do pose some harm when combined with some drugs like seratonin releaseing agents, as this can cause seratonin syndrome.
+Seratonin is synthesized from the α-amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is hydroxylated into the metabolic intermediate 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and then decarboxylated into serotonin. This process requires the co-enzyme vitamin B6.{{citation needed}}
 ==Serotonin system==
@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 Many [[antipsychotics]] like [[haloperidol]] or [[quetiapine]] and anti-emetics are serotonin receptor antagonists. One example is galanolactone, a chemical found in ginger, that acts as an anti-emetic via its action as a 5-HT<sub>3</sub> antagonist.
-==Serotonin syndrome==
+==Toxicity and harm potential==
+{{toxicity}}
+===Serotonin syndrome===
 {{main|Serotonin syndrome}}
-Extremely high levels of serotonin can cause a condition known as serotonin syndrome that has toxic and potentially fatal effects. Serotonin syndrome, also known as serotonin toxicity, can be induced via overdose of particular drugs and some drug combinations where both substances have serenonergic actions. Many drug interactions have been found to cause serotonin syndrome, the most notorious of which being the combination of an SSRI antidepressant and an [[MAOI]] antidepressant.
+Extremely high levels of serotonin can cause a condition known as serotonin syndrome that has toxic and potentially fatal effects. Serotonin syndrome, also known as serotonin toxicity, can be induced via overdose of particular drugs and some drug combinations where both substances have serenonergic actions. Many drug interactions have been found to cause serotonin syndrome, the most notorious of which being the combination of an SSRI antidepressant and an [[MAOI]] antidepressant.{{citation needed}}
-Symptoms can start showing within minutes and can include increased heart rate, sweating, anxiety, hyperthermia, shivering, high blood pressure, agitation, seizures, and rarely death. Symptoms usually resolve after 24 hours, but can last up to several months in some cases.
+Symptoms can start showing within minutes and can include increased heart rate, sweating, anxiety, hyperthermia, shivering, high blood pressure, agitation, seizures, and rarely death. Symptoms usually resolve after 24 hours, but can last up to several months in some cases.{{citation needed}}
 ==See also==