Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 3, 2026

The Use of Pharmacological-challenge fMRI in Pre-clinical Research: Application to the 5-HT System
Published on: April 25, 2012
SB-236057-A: a selective 5-HT1B receptor inverse agonist
C Roberts1, J Watson, G W Price
1Psychiatry Centre of Excellence for Drug Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline, New Frontiers Science Park, Third Ave., Harlow, Essex, CM19 5AW, UK. Claire_Roberts-1@gsk.com
SB-236057-A is a potent 5-HT1B receptor inverse agonist that acts as an antagonist at terminal 5-HT autoreceptors. This compound increases extracellular serotonin in the dentate gyrus, suggesting potential for rapid antidepressant effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- 5-HT1B autoreceptors regulate serotonergic neuron activity.
- Selective 5-HT1B receptor ligands are valuable tools for understanding serotonin pathways.
- SB-236057-A is a potent and selective inverse agonist/antagonist at 5-HT1B receptors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review pharmacological and pharmacokinetic data for SB-236057-A.
- To confirm the subtype of the terminal 5-HT autoreceptor.
- To investigate the in vivo effects of SB-236057-A on extracellular serotonin levels.
Main Methods:
- Pharmacological characterization of SB-236057-A at human 5-HT1B receptors.
- Assessment of 5-HT release in guinea pig and human cortical slices.
- In vivo pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies in guinea pigs, including microdialysis.
Main Results:
- SB-236057-A exhibits high affinity and selectivity for human 5-HT1B receptors.
- SB-236057-A acts as an antagonist at terminal 5-HT autoreceptors.
- In vivo, SB-236057-A increases extracellular serotonin in the guinea pig dentate gyrus, similar to paroxetine.
Conclusions:
- SB-236057-A confirms the 5-HT1B subtype of the terminal 5-HT autoreceptor in humans and guinea pigs.
- Acute blockade of 5-HT1B autoreceptors may lead to rapidly acting antidepressant effects via increased serotonin release.
- SB-236057-A demonstrates favorable pharmacokinetics and a lack of side effects in preclinical models.
More Related Videos
08:49Rapid In Situ Hybridization using Oligonucleotide Probes on Paraformaldehyde-prefixed Brain of Rats with Serotonin Syndrome
Published on: September 23, 2015
07:16Methods for the Discovery of Novel Compounds Modulating a Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Type A Neurotransmission
Published on: August 16, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Drug-Receptor Interaction: Agonist
Agonists can bind to receptors in different ways. Some agonists bind directly to the receptor's active site, mimicking the endogenous ligand's action.
Drug-Receptor Interaction: Antagonist
Antagonists can be classified as competitive or noncompetitive based on their...
Adrenergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
Aromatic ring substitutions: Substituting the aromatic ring with –OH groups at positions 3 and 4 yields catecholamines (e.g., epinephrine), which have a high affinity for adrenoceptors. Hydrogen bonding between –OH groups and receptors enhances adrenergic activity.
Separation of the aromatic...
Adrenergic Antagonists: Chemistry and Classification of ɑ-Receptor Blockers
Nonselective α-blockers: Nonselective α-blockers contain haloalkylamine or imidazoline moieties. Phenoxybenzamine, with a haloalkylamine...
Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists