Serotonin and Its Uses
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a neurotransmitter in the brain that has an enormous influence over many brain functions. It is synthesized, from the amino acid L-tryptophan, in brain neurons and stored in vesicles. Serotonin is found in three main areas of the body: the intestinal wall; large constricted blood vessels; and the central nervous system. The most widely studied effects have been those on the central nervous system. The functions of serotonin are numerous and appear to involve control of appetite, sleep, memory and learning, temperature regulation, mood, behavior (including sexual and hallucinogenic behavior), cardiovascular function, muscle contraction, endocrine regulation, and
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The physiological function of each receptor subtype has not been established and is currently the subject of intensive investigation (1).
The linkage of serotonin to depression has been known for the past five years. From numerous studies, the most concrete evidence of this connection is the decreased concentration of serotonin metabolites like 5-HIAA (5-hydroxyindole acetic acid) in the cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissues of depressed people. If depression, as suggested, is a result of decreased levels of serotonin in the brain, pharmaceutical agents that can reverse this effect should be helpful in treating depressed patients. Therefore, the primary targets of various antidepressant medications are serotonin transports of the brain. Since serotonin is activated when released by neurons into the synapse, antidepressants function at the synapse to enhance serotonin activity. Normally, serotonin's actions in the synapse are terminated by its being taken back into the neuron then releases it at which point "it is either recycled for reuse as a transmitter or broken down into its metabolic by products and transported out of the brain." As a result, antidepressants work to increase serotonin levels at the synapse by blocking serotonin reuptake (2).
The newest medications used to suppress depression are collectively known as selective serotonin inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs work by altering the
The cerebral cortex directs functions like speech, behavior, reactions, movement, thinking, and learning. In fact, some research suggests that bipolar disorder originates with problems with the thalamus, which links sensory input to good and bad feelings. The hippocampus also affects depression. It, like the amygdala, is part of the limbic system. It is vital in processing long-term memory. This section of the brain registers recurring fear. In people with clinical depression, the hippocampus is much smaller. Research suggests, even, that ongoing exposure to stress impairs the growth of nerve cells in this part of the brain. One of the most important jobs of the brain is to process senses, through neurons. Neurotransmitters are specific substances that help relay information to the brain. Scientists have identified many neurotransmitters that affect depression. A lack or excess of the neurotransmitters acetylcholine, serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, glutamate, lithium carbonate and gamma-aminobutyric acid are thought to contribute to depression. Acetylcholine is involved in learning and enhances memory. Serotonin helps regulate sleep, appetite, and mood, and inhibits pain. Research shows the idea that many depressed people have reduced levels of serotonin. Low levels of a byproduct of serotonin have been linked to a high risk for suicide. Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter which constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure. An excess in
Tryptophan is a large neutral amino acid present in living organisms, which is precisely one of the twenty L-amino acids incorporated in proteins and one of the nine essential amino acids which cannot be endogenously synthesised and needs to be supplied with ailments. It is a precursor for various neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which is essential for maintaining mood balance and the regulation of appetite. It is also regarded that a deficit of the neurotransmitter may lead to depression and other mood disorders. With that being said, intake of serotonin precursors is essential for the amount of serotonin in the brain.
Serotonin is also often times associated with dopamine, however it has more to do with a person’s mood rather than just one specific emotion of happiness/enjoyment; serotonin involves all varieties of emotions. A lack of this neurotransmitter is commonly associated with chronic depression; therefore, the lack of serotonin is managed using anti-depressants which are used to balance out the lack of serotonin that is being created in the brain which allows the individual a more broad range of emotions.
Serotonin, or 5-hydroxytryptamine, was classified as a “putative neurotransmitter in certain parts of the brain” in 1972.
Other clinical studies have implicated fluoxetine’s effects on serotonin neurotransmitters, based on the fact that serotonin is synthesized from the essential amino acid tryptophan. Patients taking fluoxetine who were in remission from major depression were given a special diet which was tryptophan-free. This rapidly decreased plasma serotonin levels, and after a short period of time (as little as 30 minutes) many of the patients began to have signs of specific depressive symptoms. Later, the reappearance of more general depressive symptoms were observed in a majority of the patients. Thus it was shown that fluoxetine has a profound effect on the neurotransmitter serotonin, and decreased
There are millions of neurotransmitters that flow through are body, but there are only a few that influence our behavior. Acetylcholine which controls our retention, knowledge, and voluntary movements. Excessive amounts of acetylcholine can cause unhappiness, while an inadequate amount of it can cause dementia. Serotonin controls our sex drive, forcefulness, and impulsiveness. If a restricted amount of serotonin is released it can increase sadness and unease. Dopamine regulates how we concentrate and how our movements are coordinated. An excessive amount of dopamine can result in Schizophrenia. Levels of dopamine can be increased by drugs, and other various ways. Norepinephrine cover our digestion and energy. A limited amount of this can increase
Serotonin syndrome is a potentially lethal disorder triggered by excessive serotonergic bustle in the nervous system, it depicts as mental status vicissitudes, autonomic unsteadiness, and neuromuscular hyperactivity (Volpi-Abadie, Kaye, & Kaye, 2013). According to Volpi-Abadie, Kaye, and Kaye (2013), serotonin syndrome could happen amid individuals utilizing multiple serotonergic drugs or amid individuals with substantial exposure to a sole serotonin augmenting drug, the diagnosis is usually made with the utilization of Hunter Serotonin Toxicity Criteria or the Sternbach’s criteria. The diagnosis of Serotonin syndrome diagnosis necessitate the existence of one or more of the classical traits, namely inducible clones with
The accumulation of serotonin in the body will make a kind of symptoms of serotonin syndrome.(SS)
Serotonin is a brain chemical that regulates the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Serotonin appears to play a role in all types of behavior including appetite, emotions, movement, thinking, and response to stress. Excessively high levels of serotonin in the body can cause serotonin syndrome, which is a very dangerous condition.
The mechanism by which it accomplishes this is by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that is most commonly associated with chemical imbalances that lead to depression. In fact, the most common antidepressants prescribed by doctors are those that limit the reuptake of serotonin by a cell and thus increase the levels of extracellular serotonin. Adrafinil also increases the levels of extracellular serotonin and thus can improve mood, reduce anxiety and limit the crippling effects of depression.
three groups.Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) medicines block the monoamine oxidase enzyme (MAO) from destroying monoamine neurotransmitters, which allows them to accumulate, alleviating depression. Serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications block the serotonin reuptake pump, allowing the serotonin neurotransmitter to remain and accumulate in the receptor for longer. Speaking of serotonin specifically, depression has been related to a deficiency of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) neurotransmitter as evidenced by the concentrations of the
One of the largest trends in neuroscience in the United States today is the usage of a pharmaceutical treatment option for those suffering from depression. While there are a host of other potential treatment options ranging from psychotherapy to electric convulsion therapy (for the most severely depressed patients), anti-depressant medication is far and away the most popular treatment. In fact, in 2011 more than 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 12 was using a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) in order to combat their depression (Krystal, 2011). The medical and psychological community has had a raging debate regarding the efficacy of SSRI’s since they became widely prescribed in the late 1990’s. This paper will summarize
There are a variety of treatments to treat severe depressive episode such as antidepressant medications such as Sertaline hydrochloride 100mg daily-PO and Venlafaxine 37.5mg- PO- nocte showed effect in treating severe depressive episodes by increasing available serotonin leading to improved or elevated low depressed mood. Mrs. Brown’s mood slightly improved after taking medications as per charted (O’Brain, 2013). Antipsychotic drugs such as Quetiapine 12.5- PO- mane/nocte showed effect in treating severe depression by reducing the intensity of negative perceptions as they work on the dopamine receptors found in the brain (O’Brain, 2013).
According to research, it is advisable to take 5-HTP instead of Serotonin supplements since 5-HTP has been found to easily accesses the brain from the
The neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin is also thought to play a role in depression (Porth 1371). There are decreased levels of these neurotransmitters present in the pre and post synaptic cleft. Dopamine levels have been studied and increased levels of dopamine are found in mania and decreased levels in depression (Porth 1372).