Electrophysiologic studies of serotonin receptor activation. Answered and unanswered questions

Cellular electrophysiologic responses to serotonin and serotonin agonists in vertebrate neurons and cell cultures derived from neuronal or neuroblastoma x glioma hybrids are reviewed. Emphasis is on local rather than systemic drug administration, and on intracellular and patch clamp recording. Activation of serotonin receptors can open and close potassium channels, reduce voltage-dependent calcium currents and calcium-activated potassium currents, enhance hyperpolarization-activated cation currents, and open ligand-gated cation channels. The pharmacology of these responses is described and the assignment of serotonin receptor subtypes discussed. The review is selective rather than inclusive and was concluded in November 1989.