Serotonin and mental disorders: a concise review on molecular neuroimaging evidence

Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2014 Dec;12(3):196-202. doi: 10.9758/cpn.2014.12.3.196. Epub 2014 Dec 26.

Abstract

Serotonin is one of the most important neurotransmitters influencing mental health and, thus, is a potential target for pharmaco-logical treatments. Functional neuroimaging techniques, such as positron-emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), could provide persuasive evidence for the association between mental disorders and serotonin. In this concise review, we focus on evidence of the links between serotonin and major depressive disorders, as well as other mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, addiction, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism.

Keywords: Mental disorders; Positron-emission tomography; Serotonin; Single photon emission computed tomography.

Publication types

  • Review