Serotonin and treatment of mental disorders. Present status and future perspectives

Serotoninergic system is involved in the regulation of diverse biological and psychological functions and a variety of serotonin receptor subtypes represent a possible target for a new generation of medications. 5-HT receptors play an important role in both schizophrenia and depression. Modern strategies for treating schizophrenia profit from the existence of interaction between serotonin and dopamine systems. New drugs called serotonin-dopamine antagonists (SDAs) offer wider spectra of activity and lower extrapyramidal side effects liability. The principle of the SDAs is that the drug should be a potent serotonin 5-HT 2A antagonist, with slightly less potent dopamine D2 receptor-blocking properties. New pharmacological agents with great therapeutic potential and fewer side effects were recently developed also for the treatment of depression. Among these new antidepressives the serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) currently play the most important role.