5-HT1A receptor

5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 1A, also known as HTR1A, is a 5-HT1 receptor, but also denotes the human gene encoding it. 5-HT1A acts on the CNS, where it induces neuronal inhibition and controls behaviour, such as sleep, feeding, thermoregulation, aggression, anxiety.

Ligands
The distribution of 5-HT1A receptors in the human brain may be imaged with the positron emission tomography using the radioligand [11C]WAY-100635. For example, one study has found increased 5-HT1A binding in type 2 diabetes. Another PET study found a negative correlation between amount of 5-HT1A binding in the raphe nuclei, hippocampus and neocortex and a self reported tendency to have spiritual experiences. Labeled with tritium, WAY-100635 may also be used in autoradiography.