Involvement of 5-HT receptors in learning and memory.

Cumulative evidence indicates that the serotonin (5-HT) system plays a modulatory role in cognitive processes, particularly in learning and memory. The present review focuses on the effects of agonists and antagonists on different 5-HT receptors, administered during pre-learning, post-learning or pre-retention, in different behavioral tasks. The effects of these pharmacological compounds were either facilitative or disruptive, or allowed for recovery from impaired cognitive performance following the activation or blockade of 5-HT1, 5-HT2, 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors. Since little or no data on learning and memory are currently available for the 5-ht5, 5-ht6 and 5-HT7 receptors, this article presents an overview of their brain locations and possible involvement in these highly cognitive processes.