Abstract
This chapter discuses the influence of drugs modifying serotonergic neurotransmission and its receptors on blood–brain barrier (BBB) or blood–spinal cord barrier (BSCB) function. Serotonin concentration is very high in the central nervous system (CNS) and several serotonergic receptors are present in the cerebral vessels. Elevation of plasma and tissue serotonin occurs under a wide variety of neurological and psychiatric conditions. Based on serotonin infusion experiments in animal models, new data suggests that the amine can induce BBB and BSCB disruption. This effect of serotonin is mediated via serotonergic receptors. These findings are clinically relevant, as breakdown of microvascular permeability leads to edema formation and neurodegeneration. Thus, drugs modifying serotonergic transmission and/or specific serotonin receptors could be useful for the treatment of several neurological diseases in which the BBB or BSCB is compromised.
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