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

Bortolato, Marco; Pivac, Nela; Muck-Šeler, Dorotea; Nikolac Perković, Matea; Pessia, Mauro; Di Giovanni, Giuseppe (2013) The role of the serotonergic system at the interface of aggression and suicide. Neuroscience, 236 . pp. 160-185. ISSN 0306-4522

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Abstract

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.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	impulsive-aggressive behaviours, suicide, 5-HT receptors, tryptophan hydroxylase, 5-HT transporter, monoamine oxidase A.
Subjects:	BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE > Basic Medical Sciences BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE > Basic Medical Sciences > Neuroscience
Divisions:	Division of Molecular Medicine
Projects:	Project title Project leader Project code Project type Pharmacogenomics and proteomics of serotonergic and catecholaminergic system (Farmakogenomika i proteomika serotoninskog i kateholaminskog sustava)- Dorotea Muck-Šeler 098-0982522-2457 MZOS Molecular basis and treatment of psychiatric and stress related disorders (Molekularna podloga i liječenje psihijatrijskih i stresom izazvanih poremećaja)- Nela Pivac 098-0982522-2455 MZOS
Depositing User:	Matea Nikolac Perković
Date Deposited:	01 Dec 2015 16:40
URI:	http://fulir.irb.hr/id/eprint/2354
DOI:	10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.01.015

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