Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a monoamine found in the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, and blood with broad physiological functions as a neurotransmitter, in gastric motility, hemostasis, and cardiovascular integrity. Defects in serotonin signaling have been linked to a large number of complex behavioral disorders in humans, including anxiety and depression, autism, and eating disorders, and to neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s. Platelets serve as the major reservoir of serotonin in the bloodstream. When activated, platelets release serotonin into the bloodstream where it acts as a powerful vasoconstrictor. Treatment with Selective Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) dramatically reduces platelet serotonin concentrations, and altered levels of serotonin in the circulatory system are implicated in such diverse conditions such as asthma, liver cirrhosis and carcinoid tumors.
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