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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jamal Spelling on January 17, 2008, at 7:20:01
In what way does serotonin assist with regulating body temperature?
For example, is it that too much serotonin raises your body temperature? Or that, with too little serotonin, you have poor thermoregulation? Or what?
I know that, with too much serotonin (as in serotonin syndrome), you have poor thermoregulation. But what exactly is the relationship between serotonin and body temperature?
And if serotonergic dysfunction is a cause of depression, then why don't depressed individuals have thermoregulation issues? Or do they?
Posted by De on January 17, 2008, at 20:02:52
In reply to Serotonin and thermoregulation, posted by Jamal Spelling on January 17, 2008, at 7:20:01
> In what way does serotonin assist with regulating body temperature?
>
> For example, is it that too much serotonin raises your body temperature? Or that, with too little serotonin, you have poor thermoregulation? Or what?
>
> I know that, with too much serotonin (as in serotonin syndrome), you have poor thermoregulation. But what exactly is the relationship between serotonin and body temperature?
>
> And if serotonergic dysfunction is a cause of depression, then why don't depressed individuals have thermoregulation issues? Or do they?I know that while depressed I am constantly freezin' no matter what season it is. When I'm well - warm to hot... go figure.
D
Posted by ShawnThomas on January 19, 2008, at 17:22:03
In reply to Serotonin and thermoregulation, posted by Jamal Spelling on January 17, 2008, at 7:20:01
The best place to learn about this or any other topic related to neurotransmitters is PubMed. I strongly encourage every capable person on this board to consult PubMed before answering a question. Personal anecdotes are the bread and butter of the original Psycho-Babble board, and they will play an important role here as well. However, providing links to citations for peer-reviewed medical literature from PubMed or other sources is a way to share scientific information and enable others to explore advanced topics in more detail. Even if you cannot always access full text articles, abstracts (article summaries) found in PubMed can often help to provide answers to questions about neurotransmitters, drugs, and a whole lot more.
I often begin a PubMed search by going to the MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) Database to find controlled vocabulary terms that enable me to create precise search statements. You can find the MeSH database at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/entrez?db=mesh
Try these searches at http://www.pubmed.gov ...
"serotonin"[MeSH Terms] AND "body temperature regulation"[MeSH Terms]"Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A"[Mesh] AND "Hypothermia"[Mesh]
"Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A"[Mesh] AND hyperthermia
I use hyperthermia in the last search statement instead of the MeSH term, "fever," because it leads to more results. Relying on MeSH terms can lead to more precise search results, but this approach can sometimes lead to a lower recall (number of relevant results). Also, all PubMed users can benefit by learning about its automatic term mapping feature at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=helppubmed.section.pubmedhelp.Appendices#pubmedhelp.How_PubMed_works_aut
Here are two articles of interest:
http://qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/96/9/635
An overdose of a drug that increases extracellular serotonin can result in potentially fatal hyperthermia. Mixing such drugs can amplify the risk. This is due in part to an increase in the activation of 5-HT2A serotonin receptors. Activation of presynaptic 5-HT1A autoreceptors in the hypothalamus can lead to hypothermic effects, and this may be a result of decreased serotonin release. Activation of serotonin 5-HT2C receptors may also contribute to the ability of drugs that increase extracellular serotonin to raise body temperature (see http://pubmed.gov/15563762).
I believe that at least 99% of depressive episodes are not *caused* by "serotonergic dysfunction." I have never found any evidence that made me question this belief. I do acknowledge that variations in serotonin receptor activity can influence what symptoms are present in a depressive episode and how severe they are. The key symptoms of concern involve suicidal thoughts or attempts.
Posted by SLS on January 19, 2008, at 20:22:40
In reply to Answer + Comments on PubMed as an essential tool, posted by ShawnThomas on January 19, 2008, at 17:22:03
Thanks, Shawn.
Your posts are always much appreciated.
- Scott
Posted by Jamal Spelling on January 27, 2008, at 10:55:47
In reply to Answer + Comments on PubMed as an essential tool, posted by ShawnThomas on January 19, 2008, at 17:22:03
Thank you very much for your detailed response and for the useful information.
Posted by ShawnThomas on February 22, 2008, at 11:58:03
In reply to Re: Answer + Comments on PubMed as an essential to » ShawnThomas, posted by Jamal Spelling on January 27, 2008, at 10:55:47
You're both quite welcome. I'll try to find the time to post more often :)
Shawn
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