The Serotonin Link between Alcohol Use and Affective Disorders.
Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: Serotonin is imperative for the normal operations in the central nervous system. The serotonergic circuitry is implicated in many neuronal processes, and, especially so in mechanisms of emotional regulation and reward. Although function in the serotonergic circuitry has been shown to be abnormal in many pathological states like depression, anxiety, and addiction, its ubiquitous nature complicates efforts to pinpoint the exact loci of pathology. This becomes especially relevant when these conditions occur together, which they do frequently. In this review, we examine the literature on the role of serotonin in depression, anxiety, and addiction, identifying commonalities between these disorders to elucidate the mechanisms at work when they are comorbid. Specifically, we examine the role of serotonergic receptors, transporters, and networks in incidences of alcohol dependence that is comorbid with depression to facilitate a deeper understanding of these mechanisms necessary for the development of more effective and personalized treatments.
Source: PubMed
Authors: Ariel Ketcherside, Ian Matthews, Francesca Filbey
Institutions: The University of Texas at Dallas, Lewis & Clark College
Language: English
Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse
OpenAlex ID: W3205844061
