serotoninérgico

Serotoninérgico refers to anything that involves or is related to serotonin, a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals from a neuron across a synapse to a target cell, which can be another neuron, muscle cell, or gland cell. Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), plays a significant role in the central nervous system and other parts of the body.

A system or pathway is described as serotoninérgico if it utilizes serotonin as its primary signaling molecule. This includes neurons that produce, release, and respond to serotonin, as well as the receptors on target cells that bind to serotonin. The effects of serotonin are diverse and include regulating mood, appetite, sleep, digestion, and learning.

Drugs or treatments that are serotoninérgico act by influencing the serotonin system. For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of antidepressants that increase the levels of serotonin in the brain by blocking its reabsorption into the presynaptic neuron, thus enhancing serotonergic neurotransmission. Other substances can also be serotoninérgico, either by mimicking serotonin's effects, stimulating its release, or blocking its receptors. Understanding serotoninérgico mechanisms is crucial for developing treatments for various neurological and psychiatric conditions.