So again strongly suggests that low activity noradrenaline, is a factor contributing to the cause of depression. Support for this explanation has also come from research studies. Findings from psychologists , have led to the idea that depression is caused by a depletion of these naimes , especially serotonin and noradrenaline (in which I have discussed), however this idea is too simplistic, when infact its more complex than that. A example of why it is more complex is from the original theory, is that anti depressants do
This suggest that depression must be passed on through genes if there is a high concordance rate between twins which share the same genetic makeup both having depression. However, biological factors such as the amine hypothesis states that if amines such as serotonin and noradrenalin become unbalanced, they can lead to depression. PET scans support this idea as they show that low levels of serotonin are present in people that are depressed. Other supporting evidence is that drugs such as MAOI’s, which work by increasing the available amount of noradrenalin in the brain, were found to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of depression. A problem with this is that it doesn’t state whether it is cause or effect.
Neurotransmitters are known to have an impact on behaviour such as high levels of nor adrenaline and dopamine are seen when a depressed mood is evident e.g. schizophrenia has been associated with an excess of activity in the neurotransmitter dopamine. Whereas serotonin is thought to cause high anxiety levels when there is too much available. Neurotransmitters in the right balance do not cause ill effects but the biological approach suggests it is when there is an imbalance that behaviour and mental health is affected. E.g.
People who think they have taken a drug but really haven’t may display the effects of the drug because they expect to be affected by it. The learned expectations regarding a drugs effect vary from culture to culture. 13.Depressant: reduce the central nervous system activity. Many depressants increase GABA neurotransmitter activity. Effect of alcohol: Alcohol has an impact on the dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, glutamate, and GABA neurotransmitters.
Gaining greater understanding how the limbic system and other areas of the brain operate is essential to identifying potential obstructions that disallow the normal flow of chemicals/communication within the brain, which may cause a person to become depressed. Additionally, hormones levels are another biological factor which can lead to depression. Imbalances of cortical, for example, such as an excess amount or uneven distribution over a period of time have been noticed in depressed patients (Sahelian,
She speculated that inflammation that occurs when a person is depressed may be a factor for dementia.Many certain proteins found in brain of a peron who is depressed may increase the risk of dementia.It is very important to remember that risk factor is something that put you on risk. Its increasing your chances to develop illness but it doesn’t mean that you will develop dementia as many people with depression never get dementia. A new sudy was published in July 2014 in the same journal give us more light on the problem. The report says that depression is a risk factor for dementia and people who have symptoms of depression have problems with clear thinking and memory. This study shows there is link between dementia and depression but doesn't exactly says if there is prove cause -and -effect relationship between them both.
Researchers suspect that the caudate nuclei form perform this selection function poorly with those with OCD. As suggested by the high level f frontal lobe activity revealed in PET scans, obsessional thinking then persists, often until a compulsive ritual puts an end to it. | One strength of the brain dysfunction theory comes from further empirical support provided by Comer (1998) who suggests that because serotonin plays a key role in the OFC and caudate nuclei, it is likely that low levels of serotonin cause these areas to function poorly. This suggests that there is wider academic credibility for a causal effect between serotonin and regions of the brain. A second strength of the brain dysfunction theory is that it has
It is understood to be a disorder of pain processing and sensitivity. As described before serotonin, catecholamines, and dopamine all have a role in the pathophysiology of this disease. Abnormal functions of the stress response system of the body and the central nervous system are both to blame for fibromyalgia. The serotonin levels within the body have a large role, as this neurotransmitter helps to control pain. Fibromyalgia is often present when an individual has low levels of this specific neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.
The most well known one is the serotonin theory that depression is caused by low levels of serotonin in your brain. Studies have been done in humans which show that depleting tryptophan, the amino acid required for serotonin production, can result in decreased mood and increased irritability in humans If it really was serotonin, then all you'd have to do to relieve depression would be to increase serotonin levels in your brain. One of the main drugs used to do this is Prozac. It is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI for short. There are many drugs now on the market to control the symptems of
The fact that both twins wouldn’t always develop schizophrenia means that another factor must be involved, for example family environment. Too much or too little of a particular neurotransmitter may produce psychological disorders. For example, an increased level of dopamine is linked to schizophrenia, and drugs like cocaine, which increase dopamine levels, can lead to schizophrenia like problems. Also, depression can be effectively managed and often treated with drugs that manage serotonin levels in the brain. However, Watson et al found that low serotonin levels may in fact be due to environmental factors.