DepressionTAYLOR BRANDON

What is depression?

▪ Depression is a mood disorder that does not have just one cause

▪ Psychological, biological, and environmental factors may all contribute to its development

▪ Some signs of depression are ▪ Difficulty concentrating, remembering detail, and

making decisions▪ Fatigue and decreased energy ▪ Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or

helplessness▪ Loss of interest in activities and hobbies once

pleasurable

How does it affect the brain?

▪ Depression affects multiple areas of the brain

▪ Depression results from abnormalities in the interactions between neurotransmitters and hormones in the brain such as the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems

▪ Serotonergic and dopaminergic systems work closely together

What is the Serotonergic System ?

▪ Serotonergic system is a transmitter system in the brain

▪ Key neurotransmitter in this system is serotonin

▪ Serotonin is found in the basal ganglia, frontal cortex, hypothalamus, and limbic system

▪ It regulates sleep, pain sensitivity, sexual function, and appetite

What is the Dopaminergic System?

▪ Dopaminergic system has neural pathways in the brain that transmit dopamine from one region of the brain to another

▪ Key neurotransmitter in this system is dopamine

▪ Dopamine is found in the mid-brain, pituitary gland, nigrostriatal, mesolimbic, and mesocortical pathways

▪ These pathways affect motor function, reward and motivation centers, memory, and attention

How are serotonin and dopamine affected by depression?

▪ Researchers believe an imbalance in serotonin levels cause depression▪ Low brain cell production of serotonin▪ Inability of serotonin to reach

receptor sites▪ Shortage of chemical that serotonin is

made from

▪ Serotonin system becomes hypo responsive

▪ Fails to inhibit stress response

▪ Does the dip in serotonin cause depression or does depression cause serotonin levels to drop?

▪ People with depression often exhibit reduced motivation and sometimes motor decreases ▪ All are linked with dopamine

▪ Low dopamine levels result in similar symptoms as Parkinson’s disease

▪ Low dopamine levels are considered a factor, but is not researched as much as serotonin

How is depression treated?

▪ Antidepressants are used

▪ Most antidepressants work on serotonin levels

▪ SSRIs are believed to reduce symptoms of depression

▪ Tricyclic (TCAs) are used as well▪ Primarily affect the levels of

norepinephrine and serotonin

▪ Dopaminergic substances and stimulants have been used as antidepressants have been used, but are not common

▪ Researchers found that dopaminergic agents was a rapid method to relieving depression▪ In contrast to medications that

may take up to six weeks for a full effect

Why is it difficult to explain the physiology of depression?

▪ There is no way to measure the levels of serotonin in the living brain

▪ There are no studies proving that brain levels in any neurotransmitter are in short supply when depression occurs

Depression explained more

DepressionTAYLOR BRANDON