This volume represents the proceedings ofthe invited lectures ofthe first International Symposium on "Serotonin from Cell Biology to Pharmacology and Therapeutics" which was held in Florence on March 29 -Aprill, 1989. This meeting, held under the co-sponsorship of the Serotonin Club and the Fondazione Giovanni Lorenzini, represents the first attempt to bring together scientists fascinated by the complexity of the action of 5-hydroxytryptamine throughout the body and in various species. Hence this volume provides the reader with the unique overview of the sources, effects, receptors, physiological actions and pathological role of Serotonin. As such it will be of interest not only to the person devoting herorhis research efforts to the study of 5-hydroxytryptamine but also to all scholars and even clinicians wanting to know how the powerful monoamine can modulate cellular functions. To accelerate the publication of these proceedings the Editors and the publishers have selected the camera ready format and have avoided a lengthy refereeing process. Hence the scientific content of, and the opinions expressed in the chapters are the sole responsibility of the authors. The Editors Milan and Houston The Editors want to thank Mrs. H. Liepman and her staff at Kluwer for the prompt and efficient handling of the manuscripts.

This volume contains the Proceedings of the invited lectures of the Second International Sym posium on SEROTONIN from Cell Biology to Pharmacology and Therapeutics held in Houston, Texas September 15-18, 1992. The meeting was held under the co-sponsorship of the Serotonin Club, the Giovanni Lorenzini Medical Foundation, and the Fondazione Giovanni Lorenzini. This volume discusses the major exploration in knowledge that has occurred recently of the complex role that 5- hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) plays in health and disease. In par ticular, these Proceedings highlight major breakthroughs in molecular biology and classification of receptor subtypes that are responsible for the many actions of the monoamine. The ever increasing importance of serotonin in central regulation, whether autonomic or behavioral is represented by a large number of chapters prepared by world experts. Additionally, the role of serotonin in peripheral organs is also discussed. Hence, this volume provides the reader with a unique, up-to-date review of this exciting and novel area of science. These Proceedings obviously are of great interest, not only to the researchers directly engaged in the quest for the understanding and unraveling of the actions of the interactions with serotonin as a major neurohumoral mediator, but also to all scholars and clinicians who wish to acquire a better understanding of the functioning of the brain and of peripheral organs. Since this volume was constructed as a compilation of invited lectures, the scientific content and the opinions expressed in the chapters are the sole responsibility of the authors."

This volume contains the Proceedings of the invited lectures of the Second International Sym posium on SEROTONIN from Cell Biology to Pharmacology and Therapeutics held in Houston, Texas September 15-18, 1992. The meeting was held under the co-sponsorship of the Serotonin Club, the Giovanni Lorenzini Medical Foundation, and the Fondazione Giovanni Lorenzini. This volume discusses the major exploration in knowledge that has occurred recently of the complex role that 5- hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) plays in health and disease. In par ticular, these Proceedings highlight major breakthroughs in molecular biology and classification of receptor subtypes that are responsible for the many actions of the monoamine. The ever increasing importance of serotonin in central regulation, whether autonomic or behavioral is represented by a large number of chapters prepared by world experts. Additionally, the role of serotonin in peripheral organs is also discussed. Hence, this volume provides the reader with a unique, up-to-date review of this exciting and novel area of science. These Proceedings obviously are of great interest, not only to the researchers directly engaged in the quest for the understanding and unraveling of the actions of the interactions with serotonin as a major neurohumoral mediator, but also to all scholars and clinicians who wish to acquire a better understanding of the functioning of the brain and of peripheral organs. Since this volume was constructed as a compilation of invited lectures, the scientific content and the opinions expressed in the chapters are the sole responsibility of the authors.

This volume represents the proceedings ofthe invited lectures ofthe first International Symposium on "Serotonin from Cell Biology to Pharmacology and Therapeutics" which was held in Florence on March 29 -Aprill, 1989. This meeting, held under the co-sponsorship of the Serotonin Club and the Fondazione Giovanni Lorenzini, represents the first attempt to bring together scientists fascinated by the complexity of the action of 5-hydroxytryptamine throughout the body and in various species. Hence this volume provides the reader with the unique overview of the sources, effects, receptors, physiological actions and pathological role of Serotonin. As such it will be of interest not only to the person devoting herorhis research efforts to the study of 5-hydroxytryptamine but also to all scholars and even clinicians wanting to know how the powerful monoamine can modulate cellular functions. To accelerate the publication of these proceedings the Editors and the publishers have selected the camera ready format and have avoided a lengthy refereeing process. Hence the scientific content of, and the opinions expressed in the chapters are the sole responsibility of the authors. The Editors Milan and Houston The Editors want to thank Mrs. H. Liepman and her staff at Kluwer for the prompt and efficient handling of the manuscripts.