What is Serotonin (5-Hydroxy Tryptamine) (5HT) - Meaning and definition

Published by Roberto Wenk. Reviewed by Alison Ramsey. Last updated date: February 19, 2019.

5HT is a chemical liberated as a result of tissue damage from a number of non-neuronal cells, such as platelets and mast cells, and can produce an excitation of nociceptive afferents via the activation of a large number of receptors like 5HT1A, 5HT2 and 5HT3.
They sensitize nociceptors especially to the action of bradykinin.

Suzuki R, Sikandar S, Dickenson AH. Nociception: basic principles. In: Bruera ED, Portenoy RK (eds). Cancer Pain Assessment and Management. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge 2010. p. 6.

Published by Roberto Wenk. Reviewed by Alison Ramsey. Last updated date: February 19, 2019.

5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) or serotonin, is a neurotransmitter that it is primarily found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, platelets, and in the central nervous system (CNS).
It is implicated in a vast array of physiological and pathophysiological pathways. Receptors for 5-HT mediate both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, and modulate the release of many neurotransmitters including glutamate, GABA, dopamine, epinephrine/norepinephrine, and acetylcholine, as well as many hormones, including oxytocin, prolactin, vasopressin and cortisol.
In the CNS, 5-HT receptors can influence various neurological processes, such as aggression, anxiety and appetite, and as a result are the target of a variety of pharmaceutical drugs, including many antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anorectics.

The European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI). Internet. Accessed on January 28, 2016.

To cite

Serotonin (5-Hydroxy Tryptamine) (5HT). IAHPC Pallipedia. https://pallipedia.org/serotonin-5-hydroxy-tryptamine-5ht/. Accessed