BIOCHEMICAL EXPLANATIONS FOR DEPRESSION

Question 1

Summarise the biochemical explantion for depression

Answer 1

• Imbalances of certain neurotransmitters (serotonin and depression) are associated with depression

Question 2

What role does serotonin play in depressive disorders?

Answer 2

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, stress, appetite and emotions. Low serotonin is associated with persistent low mood, emotional dysregulations, disruptions to sleep and eating (key depressive symptoms suggesting a link between depression and serotonin). Evidence= SSRI’s (sertraline, fluoxetine) which increase serotonin availability in the synaptic cleft can be used to treat depression, further supporting this link.

MES- mood, stress, appetite and emotions

Key symptoms thus suggests that low serotonin is associated with causes of depression

Question 3

What is serotonin?

Answer 3

• A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, stress, appetite and emotions.

MES

Question 4

Low levels of serotonin is associated with..

Answer 4

• Low mood, anxiety and disruptions to sleep and eating.

Question 5

What is dopmaine?

Answer 5

• A neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, pleasure and reward.

MPR- motivation, pleasure and reward

Question 6

Low dopamine is associated with…?

Answer 6

• Low mood, motivation, feelings hopelessness, anhedonia (key symptom of depression)

Question 7

What role does dopamine play in depressive disorders?

Answer 7

Dopamine carries signals in the part of the brain responsible for motivation, and pleasure and reward so low dopamine is associated with anhedonia (lack of pleasure), avolition (lack of motivation and , feelings of hopelessness—key depressive symptoms suggesting a link between depression and dopamine ). Evidence: Some antidepressants (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, MAOIs) indirectly increase dopamine activity, which can help alleviate depressive symptoms.

Question 8

What did Rucci et al (2011) find in terms of the efficacy of SRRI’s?

Answer 8

• SRRI’s may delay the onset of suicidal thoughts in major depression, compared to psychotherapy.

Question 9

Excessive dopamine and mania

Answer 9

Excessive dopamine activity is thought to contribute to manic symptoms such as elevated mood, racing thoughts, impulsivity, and increased goal-directed activity, suggesting a link between hyperdopaminergic states and mania (particularly in Bipolar I Disorder).
Evidence: Antipsychotic medications, which reduce dopamine activity (e.g., dopamine antagonists), are often used to treat manic episodes, supporting this theory.