The role of serotonin in respiratory function and dysfunction

• Published in: Microbes and infection 2010-11, Vol.174 (1), p.76-88
• Main Authors: Hilaire, Gérard, Voituron, Nicolas, Menuet, Clément, Ichiyama, Ronaldo M, Subramanian, Hari H, Dutschmann, Mathias
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 4-Butyrolactone; 5-HT; Animals; Biochemistry; Biochemistry, Molecular Biology; Biological Transport, Active; Brain; Brain - cytology; Brain - metabolism; Cells, Cultured; Cytoplasm; Development; Developmental Disabilities; Developmental Disabilities - complications; Developmental Disabilities - metabolism; Epithelial Cells; Gene Expression Profiling; Homoserine; Humans; Life Sciences; Medical Education; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Mice; Microarray Analysis; Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases - complications; Nervous System Diseases - metabolism; Neurodegeneration; Neurons; Neurons - metabolism; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pulmonary/Respiratory; Receptors, Serotonin; Receptors, Serotonin - metabolism; Respiration; Respiration Disorders; Respiration Disorders - metabolism; Respiration Disorders - pathology; Respiration Disorders - physiopathology; Respiratory disorders; Respiratory rhythm; Serotonin; Serotonin - chemistry; Serotonin - metabolism; Time Factors; Up-Regulation
• ISSN: 1569-9048; 1286-4579; 1878-1519
• DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2010.08.017

Abstract Serotonin (5-HT) is a neuromodulator–transmitter influencing global brain function. Past and present findings illustrate a prominent role for 5-HT in the modulation of ponto-medullary autonomic circuits. 5-HT is also involved in the control of neurotrophic processes during pre- and postnatal development of neural circuits. The functional implications of 5-HT are particularly illustrated in the alterations to the serotonergic system, as seen in a wide range of neurological disorders. This article reviews the role of 5-HT in the development and control of respiratory networks in the ponto-medullary brainstem. The review further examines the role of 5-HT in breathing disorders occurring at different stages of life, in particular, the neonatal neurodevelopmental diseases such as Rett, sudden infant death and Prader–Willi syndromes, adult diseases such as sleep apnoea and mental illness linked to neurodegeneration.