Serotonin Syndrome Module

The Serotonin Syndrome module provides experiential education for pre-health professions students by applying the student’s basic science knowledge to the pathophysiology of a scenario-based case of serotonin toxicity and its treatment. Basic science correlates to clinical medicine include:

1. Basic anatomy and physiology of the nervous system
2. Propagation of nerve signals and action potentials
3. Role of neurotransmitters at synapses
4. Effect of medications on the release, uptake, and degradation of various neurotransmitters, specific emphasis on serotonin
5. Physiologic effects of neurotransmitters, especially serotonin
6. Pathophysiologic effects related to serotonin excess (toxicity)
7. Serotonin syndrome and its treatment

In addition to these natural science correlates, this module also reviews the Libby Zion case and how it influenced medical resident training.