Multiple populations of serotonin receptors may modulate the behavioral effects of serotonergic agents.

In order to establish a functional role for the various populations of serotonin (5-HT) receptors, behavioral studies have been conducted over the past decade with serotonergic agonists and antagonists. And, although there is reason to believe that certain behavioral effects may be mediated via particular populations of 5-HT receptors, evidence now suggests that some serotonin-mediated behaviors may be modulated by the interaction of serotonergic agents at multiple subtypes of 5-HT receptors. The generality of these effects, and the exact mechanism(s) by which they occur, have yet to be elucidated. Nevertheless, over the past year, results from several different laboratories provide a growing recognition of this novel phenomenon.