About this Research Topic
Within the CNS and in the periphery, serotonin (5-HT) participates in a number of functions including cognition, mood, sleep-wake rhythms, intestinal inflammation. 5-HT receptors can be classified into at least seven classes, designated 5-HT1 to 5-HT7. Since its identification, the 5-HT7 receptor has been the subject of intense research efforts, driven by its presence in functionally-relevant brain regions and in the gut. The availability of selective agonists and antagonists, in combination with genetically-modified mice lacking 5-HT7 receptors, has allowed so far a better understanding about the patho-physiological roles of this receptor. This Topic will review the state-of-the-art from studies conducted in laboratory (alive animals, tissues, cells) on this respect: 1) Emerging preclinical evidence supports a role for the 5-HT7 receptor in depression, since its pharmacological blockade or genetic inactivation induce an antidepressant-like behavioural profile. 2) In addition, agonists and/or antagonists of 5-HT7 receptors may improve memory or reverse amnesia, having pro-mnesic and/or anti-amnesic effects, with therapy potential in disease-related and/or age-related cognitive impairment. 3) When adolescent rats are treated with a 5-HT7 agonist, analysis at adulthood shows an improved exploratory motivation / attentional skill as well as increased strength of connectivity among components of a forebrain “limbic” loop. The role of neuro-plasticity and the links to neuro-inflammatory processes will also be addressed. Therapeutic potential of the beneficial effects triggered by 5-HT7 stimulation warrant future research.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
