Molecular and structural insights into the 5‐HT2C receptor as a therapeutic target for substance use disorders
British Journal of Pharmacology September 8, 2023 Maleesha Ubhayarathna, Christopher J. Langmead, Natalie Diepenhorst et al. 10 citations
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic condition marked by maintained substance abuse leading to physiological and psychological changes, often altering cognitive and social behaviors. Current therapies combining psychotherapy and medication have high relapse rates, revealing their limitations. The serotonin 2C receptor (5-HT2C receptor) is a candidate for SUD treatment due to its signaling, expression profile, and neurological function. Recent interest in psychedelics, which broadly act at 5-HT2 receptors, has rekindled studies on the 5-HT2C receptor, especially structural analyses. This review examines the structural, molecular, and cellular mechanisms governing 5-HT2C receptor function in SUD, summarizing preclinical and clinical evidence and highlighting future research potential.