Serotonin (5-Hydroxytryptamine; 5-TH) is a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system of a variety of species of animals from the simplest organism to the complex human central nervous system. Serotonin is thought to function in normal regulation of a variety of behaviors, including, mood, sleep, temperature and appetite regulation and sexual function. When serotonergic transmission is impaired or altered, a variety of mental disorders is believed to result. These disorders include affective illness, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, eating and sleep disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. Clearly, the roles serotonin plays in the normal and abnormal functioning of the human brain and how pharmacological agents may be used to regulate it are of major importance for a better understanding of nervous system function. Recently, a number of new pharmacological agents have become available which are selective for various aspects of serotonergic transmission, including the serotonin uptake system and several subtypes of serotonin receptors. It is important that clinicians and basic scientists meet in order to evaluate how these new agents may be used, both as pharmacological tools in research and as treatment of mental illness in clinics.
