Abstract
Since its discovery, the central serotonergic system has been of interest to psychiatrists because of its suggested involvement in several psychiatric conditions. In the intervening 30 years, attempts to define its role have been inconclusive and have been hampered by obvious complexities of 5-hydroxytryptamine (S-HT)'s actions. The situation has now changed with the discovery of subtypes of the 5-HT receptor and the development of compounds with some selectivity towards these receptors. This review summarizes the animal-based research which has led to the renewed clinical interest in the functions of this transmitter system with particular reference to depression, schizophrenia and anxiety.