The serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptor subtype continues to attract attention as a target for numerous psychoactive drugs including psychedelic hallucinogens, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and atypical antipsychotics. 5-HT2A receptors are a principal G protein-coupled receptor subtype mediating the excitatory effects of serotonin. Nonetheless, pre- vs postsynaptic localization of 5HT2A receptors, relative to glutamatergic synapses, has remained controversial. Here, we discuss recent findings highlighting the existence and roles of presynaptic 5-HT2A receptors in regulating glutamatergic transmission and cognition.
Keywords: 5-HT2A receptor; heteroreceptor; presynaptic.