The extensive network of neurons, receptors, and transporters throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems that utilize the monoamine neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) for chemical signaling. This system is crucial for regulating a wide range of physiological and behavioral processes, including mood, sleep, appetite, and gut motility. Dysfunction in this system is intimately linked to mood disorders and is highly sensitive to hormonal fluctuations.
Origin
The term combines ‘serotonin,’ named because it was first isolated as a serum factor that affected vascular tone, and ‘system,’ referring to the interconnected network of components. The realization of serotonin’s role as a major central nervous system neurotransmitter revolutionized psychopharmacology and neuroendocrinology.
Mechanism
The serotonin system operates by synthesizing 5-HT from the amino acid L-tryptophan. Once released into the synaptic cleft, serotonin binds to a diverse family of over a dozen receptor subtypes, each mediating a different cellular response. The signal is terminated by the Serotonin Transporter (SERT), which reuptakes the neurotransmitter back into the presynaptic neuron, a key regulatory point often targeted by antidepressant medications.
Personalized hormonal protocols can mitigate mood changes during fertility treatment by tailoring drug selection and timing to individual neuroendocrine sensitivities.
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