Psychobiological studies showing the serotonin involvement in cognition-related behavioral performance

Serotonin most often acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter which also modulates post-synaptic activity within other neurotransmitter systems. Serotonin is synthesized from the essential amino acid tryptophan in Raphe complex neurons which innervate extensive brain regions including the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia and cerebellum. Cognitive information is processed through synaptic connections with other regions of the brain, forming neural circuits as well as sub-serving systems that influence behavior. Previously investigations have concluded that serotonin has a modulatory role in neural systems, causing functional activity in the organization of various processes that relate to cognitive activity such as learning, memory, maintaining attention and behavioral switching. Serotonergic modulatory mechanisms include plastic changes at different biological organizational levels ranging from the molecular level, to adaptive behavior. Several psychopathological entities are associated with abnormal variations in brain serotonin levels. However, these involve other neurotransmitter systems such as dopamine, norepinephrine or acetylcholine. Therefore, an experimental study of the physiological interaction between serotonin and other neurotransmitter systems in normal and atypical cognitive abilities would be crucial for the improvement of therapeutic strategies applied to patients showing psychopathologies associated with dysfunctional serotonin neurotransmission. © 2013 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved