Fri. Oct 11, 2019 10:30 AM - 12:10 PM Room 6 (401+402)

Organizer / Chair: Mitsuhiro YOSHIOKA (Department of Neuropharmacology, Hokkadio University Faculty of Medicine, Japan), Co-chair: Masaki KAKEYAMA (Lab. Environmental Brain Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, Waseda University, Japan), Discussants: ‌Takeshi INOUE (Department of Psychiatry, Tokyo Medical University, Japan), Koji YANO (SHIONOGI & CO., LTD., Japan)

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) ameliorates depressive symptoms in humans. However, the therapeutic effects are limited due to the delayed effects and side effects. There are two origins of serotonergic projections to the forebrain, the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and median raphe nucleus (MRN), and each nucleus projects to different brain regions, with some overlapping. Moreover, seven families of serotonin 5-HT receptors comprising a total of 14 subtypes have been identified, and each subtype has distinct functions. Given the complexity of serotonergic system, to dissect the system might make it possible to avoid side effects and to exert rapid effects. In this symposium, Yu Ohmura will show the data indicating that distinct serotonergic pathways and specific type of 5-HT receptor regulate anxiety, impulse control, and depression. Emily Jutkiewicz will introduce the idea that a specific downstream mechanism of 5-HT1A receptors is essential to exert antidepressant-like effects. Makoto Kondo will provide an insight into the antidepressant-like effects induced by the activation of a 5-HT3 receptor-IGF1 mechanism. Takeshi Inoue will criticize these findings from the view of psychiatrists and suggest the direction of future research.