Volume : 12, Issue : 12, December- 2025
Title:
SEROTONIN ANTAGONISTS AND THEIR ROLE IN NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
Authors :
Rutwik Nandkishor Mahale, Gaurav A. Khandare, Prashant S. Ade, Prathmesh D. Jaulkar, Mahesh V. Kekan
Abstract :
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a key neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of mood, cognition, perception, sleep, and behavior. Dysregulation of serotonergic signaling has been strongly implicated in the pathophysiology of several neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and migraine. Serotonin antagonists act by selectively or non-selectively blocking specific 5-HT receptor subtypes, thereby modulating abnormal neurotransmission associated with these conditions. Notably, antagonism at 5-HT₂A and 5-HT₂C receptors has shown therapeutic benefits in the management of psychosis, mood instability, and behavioral disturbances, while also reducing extrapyramidal side effects when used in antipsychotic therapy. This review focuses on the pharmacological basis of serotonin antagonists, their receptor-specific actions, and their clinical relevance in various neuropsychiatric disorders. Recent advances, therapeutic applications, and future prospects of serotonin antagonists in neuropsychiatry are also discussed.
Keywords:Serotonin antagonists; 5-HT receptors; Neuropsychiatric disorders; Antipsychotic therapy; Mood disorders; Neurotransmission
Cite This Article:
Please cite this article in press Rutwik Nandkishor Mahale et al., Serotonin Antagonists And Their Role In Neuropsychiatric Disorders: A Comprehensive Review, Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2025; 12(12).
Number of Downloads : 10
References:
1. Berger M, Gray JA, Roth BL. The expanded biology of serotonin. Annu Rev Med. 2009;60:355–366.
2. Nichols DE, Nichols CD. Serotonin receptors. Chem Rev. 2008;108(5):1614–1641.
3. Hoyer D, Clarke DE, Fozard JR, Hartig PR, Martin GR, Mylecharane EJ, et al. International Union of Pharmacology classification of receptors for 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin). Pharmacol Rev. 1994;46(2):157–203.
4. Müller CP, Jacobs BL. Handbook of the Behavioral Neurobiology of Serotonin. 2nd ed. London: Academic Press; 2010.
5. Meltzer HY. The role of serotonin in antipsychotic drug action. Neuropsychopharmacology. 1999;21(2 Suppl):106S–115S.
6. Stahl SM. Mechanism of action of serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors: Serotonin receptors and pathways mediate therapeutic effects and side effects. J Affect Disord. 1998;51(3):215–235.
7. Artigas F. Serotonin receptors involved in antidepressant effects. Pharmacol Ther. 2013;137(1):119–131.
8. Barnes NM, Sharp T. A review of central 5-HT receptors and their function. Neuropharmacology. 1999;38(8):1083–1152.
9. Celada P, Puig MV, Artigas F. Serotonin modulation of cortical neurons and networks. Front Integr Neurosci. 2013;7:25.
10. Howland RH. Cyproheptadine as a serotonin antagonist. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2014;52(4):11–14.
11. Roth BL, Sheffler DJ, Kroeze WK. Magic shotguns versus magic bullets: selectively non-selective drugs for mood disorders and schizophrenia. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2004;3(4):353–359.
12. Abi-Dargham A. Alterations of serotonin transmission in schizophrenia. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2007;19(4):357–368.
13. Kapur S, Remington G. Serotonin-dopamine interaction and its relevance to schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatry. 1996;153(4):466–476.
14. Meltzer HY, Massey BW. The role of serotonin receptors in the action of atypical antipsychotic drugs. Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2011;11(1):59–67.
15. Schatzberg AF, Nemeroff CB. Textbook of Psychopharmacology. 5th ed. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2017.
16. Deakin JFW. Depression and antisense serotonin mechanisms. J Psychopharmacol. 2003;17(2):97–103.
17. Cowen PJ. Serotonin and depression: pathophysiological mechanism or marketing myth? Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2008;29(9):433–436.
18. Graeff FG, Guimarães FS, De Andrade TGCS, Deakin JFW. Role of 5-HT in stress, anxiety, and depression. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1996;54(1):129–141.
19. Ressler KJ, Nemeroff CB. Role of serotonergic and noradrenergic systems in the pathophysiology of depression and anxiety disorders. Depress Anxiety. 2000;12(Suppl 1):2–19.
20. Millan MJ. Serotonin 5-HT₂C receptors as a target for the treatment of depressive and anxious states. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2005;178(4):509–529.
21. Bard JA, Zgombick J, Adham N, Vaysse P, Branchek TA, Weinshank RL. Cloning of a novel human serotonin receptor (5-HT₂B). J Biol Chem. 1993;268(31):23422–23426.
22. Jacobs BL, Azmitia EC. Structure and function of the brain serotonin system. Physiol Rev. 1992;72(1):165–229.
23. Krystal JH, Karper LP, Seibyl JP, Freeman GK, Delaney R, Bremner JD, et al. Subanesthetic effects of ketamine on glutamate and dopamine systems. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1994;51(3):199–214.
24. Anderberg RH, Richard JE, Hansson C, Nissbrandt H, Bergquist F, Skibicka KP. Serotonin receptor antagonists improve dopamine release. Neuropharmacology. 2014;85:511–521.
25. Bymaster FP, Calligaro DO, Falcone JF, Marsh RD, Moore NA, Tye NC, et al. Radioreceptor binding profile of atypical antipsychotics. Neuropsychopharmacology. 1996;14(2):87–96.
26. Kroeze WK, Hufeisen SJ, Popadak BA, Renock S, Steinberg S, Ernsberger P, et al. H1-histamine receptor affinity predicts antipsychotic-induced weight gain. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2003;307(1):130–138.
27. Lieberman JA, Stroup TS, McEvoy JP, Swartz MS, Rosenheck RA, Perkins DO, et al. Effectiveness of antipsychotic drugs in schizophrenia. N Engl J Med. 2005;353(12):1209–1223.
28. Reynolds GP. The pharmacology of atypical antipsychotic drugs. J Psychopharmacol. 2004;18(3):340–347.
29. Cryan JF, Leonard BE. 5-HT₁A and beyond: the role of serotonin receptors in depression and anxiety. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2000;15(2):113–135.
30. Peroutka SJ. Serotonin receptors in migraine. Neurology. 1990;40(7 Suppl 2):S7–S11.
31. Goadsby PJ, Edvinsson L. The trigeminovascular system and migraine. Brain. 1993;116(3): 617–639.
32. Mylecharane EJ. Serotonin receptors and migraine therapy. J Neurol. 1991;238(Suppl 1):S45–S52.
33. Griebel G. 5-HT receptor antagonists as anxiolytic agents. Pharmacol Ther. 1995;65(3):319–395.
34. Stahl SM. Essential Psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific Basis and Practical Applications. 4th ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2013.




