A recent study has found that sleep deprivation can increase Serotonin 2A neurotransmitter receptors levels in the brain within 6–8 hours, which in return can promote various psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, hallucinations, and cognitive impairment.
What is Serotonin 2A and how does it function?
Serotonin 2A or 5-HT2A is a receptor, extensive through the brain that plays an important role in cognition(processing information), perception(understanding and interpreting), and psychosis(state of mental disorder).
Besides, 5-HT2A receptors also control the psychedelic effects of drugs like magic(hallucinogenic) mushrooms LSD, etc. Abnormality in the levels of Serotonin 2A is associated with moderate to severe psychiatric disorders.
The first-rate antipsychotic medications target these very receptors to reduce psychotic tendencies, impaired cognition, hallucinations, etc.
What did the new study reveal?
Amelia Gallitano, MD, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences and Psychiatry at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, conducted a study where the team examined the impact of environmental stimuli on Serotonin 2A levels.
The results showed that environmental stressors and sleep deprivation can cause a significant rise in Serotonin 2A neurotransmitter receptors levels within 6-8 hours.
“Our study shows it is possible for environmental stimuli to change the levels of receptors that have important roles in the brain—in a matter of hours,”– said Amelia.
For people with schizophrenia, this means sleep deprivation can alter the balance of antipsychotic drugs that control balance in brain receptors.
Why is this breakthrough important?
The importance of 5-HT2A in regulating the brain’s ability to perceive and process information has been extensively studied. However, the signaling process that controls this gene expression was not fully understood.
These studies have revealed that EGR3 directly controls the 5-HT2AR and Htr2a levels in the frontal cortex in response to physiologic stimuli.
“Now we think we know the mechanism through which this happens; it’s through the gene EGR3.”– said Gallitano.
Altogether, the study indicates a mechanism by which environmental stimuli change levels of neuroreceptors that may mediate the symptoms, and treatment, of mental illness.
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