Posted by Bob P (129.65.46.87) on October 06, 1999 at 11:46:48:
In Reply to: Juvenile Delinquency posted by Brian W on October 06, 1999 at 07:55:59:
I just read the functions of the various lobes of the hypo last night. Unfortunately, I'm at work and don't have it handy. I'll post it when I get home tonight. Some of the functions of 5-HT (serotonin) include moodiness, depression, risky behavior, etc. Monkeys with lowered 5-HT will jump for farther tree limbs than others with normal 5-HT levels. Murderers have low 5-HT in spinal fluid samples. 5-HT agonists and antagonists are used to treat depression, compulsive disorders, appetite, vasculat dialation, contraction of the esophagas aiding in relieving heartburn, etc. There are a number of different recoptor sites.
5-HT1 recptors appear to be involved in the process of smooth muscle relaxation, contraction of some cardiac and vascular smooth muscle, and effects in the central nervous system.
5-HT2 located in vascular smooth muscle, platelets, lung, CNS and GI tract appears involved in GI and smooth muscle contraction, platelet aggregation, hypertension, MIGRAINE.
5-HT3 in central neurons, involved in pain. Agents working on these sites help migraine, anxiety and congnitive & psychotic disorders.
5-HT4 in CNS, heart and GI tract, their activation appears to involve neurotransmitter release.
Of all these the 5-HT1s are the ones that are most loked at. They involve sexual behavior, hypotension, increase food intake, produce hypothermia, depression, spinal fluid production, CEREBRAL CIRCULATION, VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE MEDIATING CONTRACTION (cluster headache?).
The hypo.. is really just a few bundles of nerve cells. It kind of acts like the switchboard. Signals from the nerves are sent to the hypo.. and it in turn tells the other parts of the various systems what to do.
I'm really kind of hesitant to say any more right now because I'm really just starting to learn about this and hate to post stuff unless I'm quoting it directly from a book or medical paper. I'm gonna put together a flow chart of these processes to help myself understand whats doing what. I'll get it to ya when I have it.
Hope this helps a little.
LYG
Bob P