How Serotonin Shapes the Brain: Synaptic Plasticity, Learning, Emotional Balance (Higa et al., 2024)

Serotonin and Synaptic Plasticity: How 5‑HT Shapes Learning, Emotion, and Cognitive Stability

This video summarizes Higa et al's 2024 scientific review examining how serotonin functions as a key neuromodulator that reshapes neural circuits by regulating synaptic plasticity.

The authors (and this micro-lecture) explore how serotonin influences long‑term potentiation (LTP) and long‑term depression (LTD) across major brain regions involved in memory, emotion, and executive function, including the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex.

I. How Serotonin Regulates Plasticity
By acting through multiple 5‑HT receptor subtypes, serotonin can either strengthen or weaken synaptic connections depending on the context. These receptor‑specific effects help coordinate essential cognitive and emotional processes such as:
(1) Memory formation.
(2) Emotional regulation.
(3) Decision‑making and cognitive planning.
(4) And More!
This flexibility allows serotonin to fine‑tune how information is encoded and integrated across neural networks.

II. Metaplasticity: Preparing the Brain for Future Learning
A major theme of the review is metaplasticity—the idea that serotonin doesn’t just modify current synaptic strength, but also adjusts how neurons will respond to future stimulation. This dynamic regulation helps the brain maintain an optimal balance between stability and adaptability, ensuring that significant experiences are prioritized while irrelevant noise is filtered out.

III. Why This Matters
By synthesizing findings across molecular, cellular, and systems‑level research, the authors show how serotonergic signaling supports emotional resilience and mental stability. Disruptions in these pathways may contribute to mood disorders, while targeted modulation of serotonin could enhance learning, flexibility, and psychological well‑being.

Source: Higa, G. S. V., Viana, F. J. C., Francis-Oliveira, J., Cruvinel, E., Franchin, T. S., Marcourakis, T., Ulrich, H., & De Pasquale, R. (2024). Serotonergic neuromodulation of synaptic plasticity. Neuropharmacology, 257, 110036. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.....

#neuroscience #serotonin #neuralplasticity #neuroplasticity #neuromodulation #synapticplasticity #ltp #ltd #brainhealth
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