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Serotonin, memory, and the aging brain

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Abstract

Serotonin is widely distributed throughout the central nervous system and is implicated in a variety of neural functions such as pain, feeding, sleep, sexual behavior, cardiac regulation and cognition. This paper is concerned with the last of these. Abnormalities of the serotonergic nervous system are well documented in pathologic studies of Alzheimer's disease and there is evidence suggesting that changes in this system occur in association with non-disease aging. Data on the role of serotonin in learning and memory and on the effects of aging on brain serotonin function are reviewed and discussed in relation to pharmacologic treatment strategies for the memory impairments associated with advancing age.

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  1. Memory Assessment Clinics Inc., 1217 East Avenue South, 34239, Sarasota, FL, USA

    William J. McEntee

  2. Memory Assessment Clinics Inc., 8311 Wisconsin Avenue, 20814, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Thomas H. Crook

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McEntee, W.J., Crook, T.H. Serotonin, memory, and the aging brain. Psychopharmacology 103, 143–149 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02244194

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