Research of 5-HT2c receptors stretches back twenty-five years, and while much of it has been productive, the past decade of research has been extraordinary in terms of both amount produced and insights gained. It is hardly surprising that 5-HT2c receptor research has grown so fruitful, given that it is a prominent central serotonin receptor subtype widely expressed within the central and the peripheral nervous system and is thought to play a major role in the regulation of numerous behaviors. It has further been shown by experimental and clinical observation that it may represent a possible therapeutic target for the development of drugs for a range of central nervous system disorders. The time, therefore, is more than appropriate to offer the first ever overview of the research of 5-HT2c receptors. Part of the popular and important series, "The Receptors," The 5-HT2c Receptor provides a thorough update of the functional status of the 5-HT2c receptor. It covers the molecular, cellular, anatomical, biochemical and behavioral aspects of this receptor so as to highlight its distinctive regulatory properties and the emerging functional significance of constitutive activity and RNA-editing in vivo. In addition, the book investigates the receptors' therapeutic potential in a range of different diseases, treated individually in separate chapters, including depression, drug abuse, schizophrenia, eating disorders, Parkinson's disease, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy. While not exhaustive, this text is a vital tool in understanding the past and inspiring the future of interdisciplinary research on the 5-HT2c receptor.

Part of Springer's "The Receptors," series, this text is the first ever overview on the research of 5-HT2c receptors. 5-HT2c receptor research has been productive for twenty-five years, but recent years have seen an extraordinary increase in both amount produced and insight gained. 5-HT2c is a prominent central serotonin receptor subtype widely expressed within the central and the peripheral nervous system and is thought to play a key role in the regulation of numerous behaviors. This text covers the molecular, cellular, anatomical, biochemical and behavioral aspects of this receptor, highlighting its distinctive regulatory properties and the emerging functional significance of constitutive activity and RNA-editing in vivo. It also investigates the receptors' therapeutic potential in many diseases, treated individually in separate chapters, including depression, drug abuse, schizophrenia, eating disorders, Parkinson's disease, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy.

This book provides a unique and timely multidisciplinary synthesis of our current knowledge of the anatomy, pharmacology, physiology and pathology of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) dopaminergic neurons. The single chapters, written by top scientists in their fields, explore the life cycle of dopaminergic neurons from their birth to death, the cause of Parkinson's disease, the second most common and disabling condition in the elderly population. Nevertheless, the intracellular cascade of events leading to dopamine cell death is still unknown and, consequently, treatment is symptomatic rather than preventive. The mechanisms by which alterations cause neuronal death, new therapeutic approaches and the latest evidence of a possible de novo neurogenesis in the SNc are reviewed and singled out in different chapters. This book bridges basic science and clinical practice and will prepare the reader for the next few years, which will surely be eventful in terms of the progress of dopamine research.

This book provides a unique and timely multidisciplinary synthesis of our current knowledge of the anatomy, pharmacology, physiology and behavioral data of the serotonin (5-HT)-dopamine (DA) interactions. Central serotonergic and dopaminergic systems play a critical role in the regulation of normal and abnormal behaviors. Moreover, recent evidence suggests that the dysfunction of the DA and 5-HT neurotransmitter systems contribute to various mental disorders including depression, schizophrenia, drug addiction and Parkinson's disease. This extremely important topic is of wide interest within the scientific community, with relevance not only to specialists but also to general practitioners and students. The book provides a valuable contribution to the debate on new pharmacological approaches for several psychopathological states, with contributions from expert neuroscientists and pharmacologists who comprehensively survey the most significant currently active areas of dopamine/serotonin interactions.
* Provides an understanding of the interaction between Serotonin and Dopamine.
* Appeals equally to specialists, general practitioners, students and researchers.
* Contributes to the debate on new pharmacological approaches to several psychopathological states
* Gives a comprehensive anatomical description plus the physiology and pharmacology of dopaminergic and serotonergic systems
* Singles out neuropsychiatric and suggests new therapeutic approaches.