SEROTONIN 5-HT6 RECEPTOR: A POTENTIAL TARGET FOR COGNITION

Abstract

A number of pieces of evidence suggest a role of the serotonin in cognitive function. Early studies failed to distinguish between the roles of the many 5-HT receptor subtypes due to the lack of selectivity of the ligands used in these studies. Recently, the role of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) and its receptor subtypes in cognition has emerged and with the availability of Antisense oligonucleotides, antipeptide antibodies, selective radioligands, knockout mice, and selective antagonists of the 5-HT₆ receptor, the focus on 5-HT receptor subtypes as targets for memory enhancement has increased. This article will focus on the role of the most recently identified 5-HT receptor subtype, i.e. the 5-HT₆ receptor and its antagonists present in various clinical and preclinical phases in modulating cognitive function.