Naslov
The role of the serotonergic system at the interface of aggression and suicide

Autori
Bortolato, Marco ; Pivac, Nela ; Muck-Šeler, Dorotea ; Nikolac Perković, Matea ; Pessia, Mauro ; Di Giovanni, Giuseppe

Izvornik
Neuroscience (0306-4522) 236 (2013); 160-185

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, pregledni rad, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
impulsive-aggressive behaviours; suicide; 5-HT receptors; tryptophan hydroxylase; 5-HT transporter; monoamine oxidase A.

Sažetak
Abstract—Alterations in serotonin (5-HT) neurochemistry have been implicated in the aetiology of all major neuropsychiatric disorders, ranging from schizophrenia to mood and anxiety-spectrum disorders. This review will focus on the multifaceted implications of 5-HT-ergic dysfunctions in the pathophysiology of aggressive and suicidal behaviours. After a brief overview of the anatomical distribution of the 5-HT-ergic system in the key brain areas that govern aggression and suicidal behaviours, the implication of 5-HT markers (5-HT receptors, transporter as well as synthetic and metabolic enzymes) in these conditions is discussed. In this regard, particular emphasis is placed on the integration of pharmacological and genetic evidence from animal studies with the findings of human experimental and genetic association studies. Traditional views postulated an inverse relationship between 5-HT and aggression and suicidal behaviours ; however, ample evidence has shown that this perspective may be overly simplistic, and that such pathological manifestations may reflect alterations in 5-HT homoeostasis due to the interaction of genetic, environmental and gender-related factors, particularly during early critical developmental stages. The development of animal models that may capture the complexity of such interactions promises to afford a powerful tool to elucidate the pathophysiology of impulsive aggression and suicidability, and identify new effective therapies for these conditions.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

POVEZANOST RADA