Serotonin and human myoclonus. Rationale for the use of serotonin receptor agonists and antagonists.

This is a critical review of the serotonin hypothesis of myoclonus for the purpose of identifying new pharmacologic therapies. The literature on myoclonus and serotonin neuropharmacology reveals evidence for serotonergic abnormalities in some human myoclonic disorders, new serotonin receptor subtypes and data on their molecular structure and function, more selective drugs, and experimental evidence linking certain serotonin receptor subtypes with myoclonus. This article provides an overview of clinical experience with serotonergic drugs, new investigational drugs, and strategies for gathering data critical to linking particular receptor abnormalities and drugs with specific human myoclonic disorders. Such information will allow the use of receptor subtype-selective agonists and antagonists for the treatment of myoclonus.