The raphe nuclei are a chain of cell groups along the midline of the brainstem and the main source of serotonin in the central nervous system. The upper raphe nuclei project to the forebrain to influence mood, sleep and appetite, while the lower ones project to the spinal cord to modulate pain, movement and autonomic function.
| Location | Midline (raphe) of the brainstem from the midbrain to the medulla |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Connections |
|
| Blood Supply | Paramedian branches of the basilar and vertebral arteries |
Releases serotonin throughout the brain and spinal cord to regulate mood, sleep-wake cycles, appetite, pain and motor tone.
Most antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs) act on serotonin released from raphe neurons. The nucleus raphe magnus forms part of the descending pain control pathway from the periaqueductal grey to the dorsal horn. Abnormal brainstem serotonin systems have been found in some cases of sudden infant death syndrome.
A potentially dangerous excess of serotonin activity from drug combinations, causing agitation, high temperature, sweating, clonus and tremor.
Studies have found abnormalities of medullary raphe serotonin neurons in some infants who died of SIDS, possibly impairing arousal and breathing responses.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
