Serotonin Type-4 (5-HT4) Receptors as Therapeutic Targets: Past and Future Roles of 5-HT4 Receptor Agonists

Understanding the biological consequences of 5-HT4 receptor activation has been a subject of intensive research over the last decade and there is now ample evidence to suggest that activation of these receptors represents a valid approach for the trea tment of f unctional motility disorder s of the gastrointe stina l tra ct. A surve y of 5-HT 4 r ec eptor s, their distribution a nd function, will be pr ovide d. This article will also review 5-HT4 receptor agonists currently on the market, undergoing clinical development, as well as potential new agents that have been discovered.