Serotonin And Depression

serotonin and depression What is the relationship between serotonin and depression?

There are many researchers believe that an imbalance in serotonin levels can affect mood in a way that leads to depression. Possible problems include low production of brain cell serotonin, a lack of receptor sites able to receive the serotonin that is made, inability of serotonin to reach the receptor sites, or a lack of tryptophan, the product chemical serotonin is made. If any of these biochemical failures occur, researchers believe can lead to depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, serotonin and depression anxiety, panic and even excess anger.

One theory on how depression develops centers regeneration of brain cells - a process that some believe is mediated by serotonin and continues throughout our lives. According to Princeton neuroscientist Barry Jacobs, PhD, depression may occur when there is a suppression of new brain cells and that stress is the most important precipitating depression. He believes that common antidepressant drugs called SSRIs such as Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft, which are designed to increase serotonin levels,serotonin and depression helping to launch the production of new brain cells, which in turn helps lift of depression.

Although it is generally accepted that a serotonin deficiency plays a role in depression, there is no way to measure their levels in the living brain. Therefore, there have been studies showing that brain levels of this neurotransmitter are scarce or when depression or mental illness develops. Blood levels of serotonin are measurable -serotonin and depression and has been shown to be lower in people who suffer from depression - but researchers do not know if blood levels reflect brain levels of serotonin.serotonin and depression

In addition, researchers do not know if the drop in serotonin causes depression or depression causes serotonin levels to drop.serotonin and depression

serotonin and depression Although it is generally accepted that a serotonin deficiency plays a role in depression, there is no way to measure their levels in the living brain. The

Antidepressants that work on serotonin - SSRIs (selective reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine) - is expected to reduce the symptoms of depression, but exactly how is not yet fully understood.serotonin and depression

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