Central 5-HT 1A receptors: regional distribution and functional characteristics

Abstract

Among the multiple receptors for serotonin identified to date, the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 1A type is among the best known because selective ligands have been available for more than 15 years. Radioactive derivatives allowed the demonstration of the presence of 5-HT 1A binding sites mainly in the limbic areas and the raphe nuclei in the brain, where they correspond to postsynaptic receptors and “presynaptic” autoreceptors, respectively. This review article summarizes key data on the molecular, pharmacological, and differential functional properties of pre- versus postsynaptic 5-HT 1A receptors.