Serotonin Receptor Antagonist Has a Neuroprotective Effect in a C. elegans Neurodegenerative Model

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the progressive and abnormal death of neurons. Glutamate excitotoxicity is known to be a common mechanism leading to neuronal death in many neurodegenerative diseases. Antagonizing glutamate receptors with drugs such as MK-801 in vivo at high dosages causes damaging side effects, thus a new model for modulating extracellular glutamate is needed. Serotonin has been shown to regulate glutamate transmission. 5-HPEC is a serotonin receptor was investigated for its neuroprotective effects in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans).