Serotonin, or 5-HT, is synthesized and released as a neuromodulator by a small fraction of neurons (about 450,000 in the human brain) and yet, the serotonergic system, via widespread projections throughout the brain and spinal cord, is involved in diverse biological functions. For example, 5-HT plays an essential role in autonomic control systems, cognition, feeding, emotion, social behavior, and neural plasticity among others. Consistent with the diverse functional involvement of the serotonergic system, 5-HT neurons display a variety of morphologies, electrophysiologic properties, and gene expression patterns. Besides interaction with the large family of 5-HT receptor subtypes expressed on postsynaptic cells, 5-HT can be also covalently bind to proteins, including histones, contributing to epigenetic signatures in the CNS. Finally, 5-HT is also a neurotrophic factor in early brain development, shaping the migration and positioning of inhibitory and excitatory neurons in the cortex and subcortical regions. Thus, while the serotonergic system is comprised of a small subset of total neurons, it has a remarkable breadth and influence on CNS functions.
Given the breadth of influence that the 5-HT system has on brain functions, many areas need further investigation including how 5-HT modulates neural circuits, the role of 5-HT receptors and transporters, and mechanisms contributing to electrophysiological property differences among 5-HT neurons. Furthermore, more insight is needed in the interaction between 5-HT and other neurochemical systems and processes in the brain. Because the 5-HT system can modulate a wide range of autonomic, emotional, and behavioral processes, future research should address the serotonergic mechanisms by which these processes are coordinated.
This Research Topic welcomes original research articles directed at understanding the underlying mechanisms contributing to 5-HT neuronal diversity, the interactions of 5-HT with other neurochemical systems, including hormonal and neuropeptide systems, in health and disease, as well as cellular and molecular mechanisms by which neural plasticity within the 5-HT system leads to or contributes to changes in cognition, emotion and behavior. Furthermore, we also welcome research articles investigating 5-HT’s role during development, interaction of serotonin neurons with other cell types in the brain, and how other cell types, even from the gut, influence serotonin neuronal function. Specifically, differential effects of early life and adult changes in serotonin signaling on brain structure and function, and its behavioral outputs, are of interest. Lastly, given the many biological functions that serotonin modulates, original research articles expanding and further defining these serotonergic mechanisms will also be entertained for publication in this Research Topic.
Serotonin, or 5-HT, is synthesized and released as a neuromodulator by a small fraction of neurons (about 450,000 in the human brain) and yet, the serotonergic system, via widespread projections throughout the brain and spinal cord, is involved in diverse biological functions. For example, 5-HT plays an essential role in autonomic control systems, cognition, feeding, emotion, social behavior, and neural plasticity among others. Consistent with the diverse functional involvement of the serotonergic system, 5-HT neurons display a variety of morphologies, electrophysiologic properties, and gene expression patterns. Besides interaction with the large family of 5-HT receptor subtypes expressed on postsynaptic cells, 5-HT can be also covalently bind to proteins, including histones, contributing to epigenetic signatures in the CNS. Finally, 5-HT is also a neurotrophic factor in early brain development, shaping the migration and positioning of inhibitory and excitatory neurons in the cortex and subcortical regions. Thus, while the serotonergic system is comprised of a small subset of total neurons, it has a remarkable breadth and influence on CNS functions.
Given the breadth of influence that the 5-HT system has on brain functions, many areas need further investigation including how 5-HT modulates neural circuits, the role of 5-HT receptors and transporters, and mechanisms contributing to electrophysiological property differences among 5-HT neurons. Furthermore, more insight is needed in the interaction between 5-HT and other neurochemical systems and processes in the brain. Because the 5-HT system can modulate a wide range of autonomic, emotional, and behavioral processes, future research should address the serotonergic mechanisms by which these processes are coordinated.
This Research Topic welcomes original research articles directed at understanding the underlying mechanisms contributing to 5-HT neuronal diversity, the interactions of 5-HT with other neurochemical systems, including hormonal and neuropeptide systems, in health and disease, as well as cellular and molecular mechanisms by which neural plasticity within the 5-HT system leads to or contributes to changes in cognition, emotion and behavior. Furthermore, we also welcome research articles investigating 5-HT’s role during development, interaction of serotonin neurons with other cell types in the brain, and how other cell types, even from the gut, influence serotonin neuronal function. Specifically, differential effects of early life and adult changes in serotonin signaling on brain structure and function, and its behavioral outputs, are of interest. Lastly, given the many biological functions that serotonin modulates, original research articles expanding and further defining these serotonergic mechanisms will also be entertained for publication in this Research Topic.