What is Raphe nuclei?
The '''Raphe nuclei''' (singular = Raphe nucleus) are a cluster of [[nucleus (neuroanatomy)|nuclei]] in the [[hindbrain]] which release a [[neurotransmitter]] called [[serotonin]] (5-HT). The serotonin molecules get sent all over the brain, where they are needed for all sorts of roles.<ref>{{cite book | editor = George J. Siegel | title = Basic neurochemistry | url = https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=bnchm | edition = 6th | year = 1999 | publisher = Lippincott Williams and Wilkins | isbn = 0-397-51820-X | chapter = Understanding the neuroanatomical organization of serotonergic cells in brain provides insight into the functions of this neurotransmitter | chapter-url = https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Search&db=books&doptcmdl=GenBookHL&term=raphe+AND+serotonin+release+AND+bnchm%5Bbook%5D+AND+160428%5Buid%5D&rid=bnchm.section.946#949}}</ref> 'Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor' (SSRI) [[antidepressant]]s are believed to act in these nuclei, as well as at their targets.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Briley | first1=M |date=October 1993 |title = Neurobiological mechanisms involved in antidepressant therapies | journal = Clin Neuropharmacol | volume = 16 | issue = 5 | pages = 387&ndash;400|doi = 10.1097/00002826-199310000-00002 | pmid = 8221701 | last2 = Moret | first2 = C}}</ref> Many [[opioid]]s (drugs that calm people down) can act on the Raphe nuclei to secrete too much 5-HT. == References == {{reflist}} [[Category:Anatomy of the brain]]