Role of Dopaminergic and Serotonergic Pathways in Hallucinations and Their Therapeutic Modulation
Aparna Shukla, Shubhangi Chandrikapure
International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research April 22, 2026 DOI: 10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i02.75077 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Serotonin |
| Key findings | The authors propose that hallucinations arise from monoaminergic dysregulation, with dopaminergic hyperactivity in the mesolimbic pathway producing aberrant salience attribution and serotonergic dysfunction via 5-HT2A receptor activation disrupting sensory processing. They argue that antipsychotic modulation of these pathways is central to symptom control. |
Abstract
Hallucinations are perceptual disturbances occurring without external stimuli, commonly observed in psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and substance-induced psychosis. Dysregulation of monoaminergic neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine and serotonin, plays a central role in their pathophysiology. Dopaminergic hyperactivity in the mesolimbic pathway leads to aberrant salience attribution, while serotonergic dysfunction—especially via 5-HT₂A receptor activation—disrupts sensory processing. This review explores the neurobiological basis of hallucinations and highlights pharmacological strategies targeting dopaminergic and serotonergic systems. Therapeutic modulation using antipsychotics demonstrates the importance of balancing these pathways for symptom control.