5-HT3 receptors: pharmacologic and therapeutic aspects

The serotonin 5-HT3 receptor is unique among the seven serotonin receptor "families" that have been recognized so far. It functions not as a G-protein coupled but as a direct ion channel gated receptor. Because of the varied neural functions linked to this receptor, intensive research interest has developed in recent years about its basic and clinical pharmacology, which are summarized in this review. Some new agonists and many new antagonists have been developed. These agents have a useful role as selective pharmacologic research probes, and some of them can be used therapeutically as potent and selective anti-nausea and antiemetic drugs, particularly in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy treatment or general anesthesia procedures. Potential applications of these agents include the treatment of some behavioral disorders in mental disease, drug addiction, and certain types of pain syndromes.
CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Wittmann, T. Schaaf, I. Peters, S. Wirz, B. W. Urban, and M. Barann The Effects of Fentanyl-Like Opioids and Hydromorphone on Human 5-HT3A Receptors Anesth. Analg., July 1, 2008; 107(1): 107 - 112. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Wittmann, I. Peters, T. Schaaf, H. C. Wartenberg, S. Wirz, J. Nadstawek, B. W. Urban, and M. Barann The Effects of Morphine on Human 5-HT3A Receptors. Anesth. Analg., September 1, 2006; 103(3): 747 - 752. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. M. Hurley and G. D. Pollak Serotonin Effects on Frequency Tuning of Inferior Colliculus Neurons J Neurophysiol, February 1, 2001; 85(2): 828 - 842. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. M. Hurley and G. D. Pollak Serotonin Differentially Modulates Responses to Tones and Frequency-Modulated Sweeps in the Inferior Colliculus J. Neurosci., September 15, 1999; 19(18): 8071 - 8082. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]