Serotonergic Modulation of Theta Activity and Cognition

The field of serotonergic modulation of theta activity and cognition is a burgeoning area of research that seeks to unravel the complex interactions between neurotransmitter systems and brain wave patterns. Theta activity, prominently expressed in cerebral structures such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, is crucial for information processing. While the role of serotonin in modulating theta activity is evident, there remains a significant gap in understanding the molecular mechanisms through which serotonin influences the brain's electrical activity. Initially, serotonin was thought to sustain non-cholinergic theta activity, but subsequent evidence has shown that serotonin may impair the synchronization of hippocampal theta activity, suggesting a more nuanced role.

Despite these findings, the evidence remains inconclusive, and a more complex picture of serotonin's role in modulating both theta activity and cognition is emerging. This complexity is underscored by the fact that serotonergic modulation occurs through various subcortical nuclei and cortical structures, influencing cognitive abilities differently across systems, cell types, and cognitive processes. A comprehensive review of the evidence is needed to integrate findings from both electrical synchronization at theta frequencies and behavioral studies across cognitive domains.

This research topic aims to evaluate the role of serotonin in the modulation of theta activity and cognition through a comprehensive review of existing evidence and a critical reassessment of the main hypotheses in this area. The goal is to synthesize findings from experimental work and reviews that focus on the relationship between serotonin and cognition, serotonin and theta activity, or the interplay between serotonin, theta activity, and cognition. By doing so, the research aims to provide a clearer understanding of how serotonin influences cognitive processes through its modulation of theta activity.

To gather further insights into the serotonergic modulation of theta activity and cognition, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- The role of serotonin in nodal cerebral structures such as the septum, posterior hypothalamus, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex.
- The impact of serotonin on various cognitive abilities and processes.
- The molecular mechanisms underlying serotonin's modulation of theta activity.
- Comparative studies of serotonergic effects on different cell types, such as pyramidal neurons and regulatory interneurons.
- Integration of neuropharmacological approaches with behavioral studies to elucidate serotonin's role in cognition.
- The influence of serotonergic modulation on cognitive domains through different subcortical and cortical pathways.

Neuropharmacology welcomes submissions of the following article types: Brief Research Report, Case Report, Clinical Trial, Community Case Study, Correction, Data Report, Editorial, General Commentary, Hypothesis & Theory, Methods, Mini Review, Opinion, Original Research, Perspective, Review, Study Protocol, Systematic Review, Technology and Code.

Topic Editor Prof. Fabio Macciardi is a Professor (emeritus) in the Department of Molecular Psychiatry at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and serves as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at Cognigenics.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Serotonin, Theta activity, Learning, Memory, Reversal, Preservation, Anxiety

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.