About Neuroscience and Depression

Neuroscience is concerned with the functions of the nervous system and the brain. Researchers know that specific chemicals in the brain are directly responsible for moods and definitely can affect whether a person experience depression. The chemical in the brain most often affected by depression is serotonin.

What is Serotonin?

You may hear a lot of talk about serotonin but perhaps you are not sure the role it plays in your brain and as it relates to neuroscience and depression. Serotonin is a chemical that helps the brain send signals in the brain to various neurotransmitters. Serotonin is converted from a chemical known as tryptophan hydroxylase.

Serotonin and its Connection to Depression

When serotonin levels in the brain are out of balance it causes mood changes and this can lead to depression. Some people's brains simply produce less serotonin, which can be hereditary and these people normally have a history of depression in their families. Other causes include the person's brain having less than an optimal amount of receptors to receive the serotonin.

A secondary chemical in the brain that can be out of balance is norepinephrine, which also affects the mood and leads to depression if out of balance. Many people are deficient in both serotonin and norepinephrine at the same time.

Treatments for Depression

Treatments for depression include antidepressants that focus on balancing the serotonin levels, which are called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRIs. Newer antidepressants focus on both serotonin and norepinephrine, which are called Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors or SSNIs. Many times it may take a trial and error with the doctor and patient to find a medication that helps the patient feel better and less depressed.