Serotonergic receptors and memory

Abstract

In recent years learning and memory have been intensively studied, aiming to find pharmacological treatments to prevent or reverse cognitive impairment. Different neurotransmission systems (AC, NA, etc) participate in learning and memory processes. Serotonin (5-hydrotryptamine, 5-HT) projects to almost brain areas and participates in sensorial, motor and behavioral processes, including memory. In this work evidence is revised involving 5-HT receptors in memory formation. For instance, 5-HT1A, 5-HT6 and 5-HT7 receptors are located in brain structures important for memory such as frontal cortex, hippocampus, and raphe nuclei. It has been demonstrated that stimulation of 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 receptors facilitates memory formation and/or reverses amnesia. Apparently memory formation or changes observed in pharmacological models of amnesia are associated to the modulation of cAMP production, expression of RNA messenger and the resulting receptor protein. New 5-HT receptor agonists and antagonists will allow identification of new pharmacological and molecular mechanisms useful in the treatment of memory alterations.