Role of serotonin2C receptors in the control of brain dopaminergic function

There is substantial evidence that the functional status of mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic (DA) system originating in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is under a phasic and tonic inhibitory control by the serotonergic system, which acts by stimulating serotonin(2C) (5-HT2C) receptor subtypes. This assertion is based upon a number of electrophysiological and biochemical data showing that 5-HT2C receptor agonists decrease, while 5-HT2C receptor antagonists enhance mesocorticolimbic DA function. On the other hand, it does not seem that 5-HT2C receptors play a relevant role in the control of nigrostriatal DA system originating in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). The authors of this article review the most relevant data regarding the role of 5-HT2C receptors in the control of brain DA function and underline the importance of this subject in the search of new therapies for neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, drug addiction, and Parkinson's disease. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.