Serotonin & Depression

Serotonin, scientifically termed 5-hydroxytryptamine or

5-HT, was first discovered in research and crystallized 40 years ago. Neuroscientists have determined that 5-HT is a major neurotransmitter involved in a number of physiological processes such as sleep, thermoregulation, appetite control, sexual behavior, cardiovascular function, endocrine regulation and muscle contraction. Additionally, it is implicated in the "mechanism of action of various pharmacological agents (anxiolytic agents, antidepressants, hallucinogenic agents)" (Cannon, 1991, p. 132). After studying 5-HT for over 25 years Page concluded that "no physiological substance has been discovered that has such diverse actions in the body as serotonin" (Cannon, 1991, p. 132). The question which neuroscientists have been asking for over a decade is whether or not "all forms of depression ultimately operate through a shared chemical pathway" and whether that pathway could possibly be identified as serotonin? (Holden, 1991, p. 1450)

First, researchers agree that depression must be recognized as a "heterogeneous disorder" (Holden, 1991, p. 1450). It can be triggered by stress, biochemical dysfunction, illness or unknown causes. Yet clinical labels of description such as endogenous or reactive depression carry almost no relevance for treatment. Pharmaceutical research has overcome the bewildering heterogeneity of depression to produce antidepressant medica

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to clinical intervention (Davis, 1992, p. 180). Not only must 5-HT be evaluated but all of its cluster sites must be also scrutinized. Current research focuses on 5-HT transporter identified as 5-HTT as a potential genetic factor in the etiology of affective disorders (Lesch, 1995, p. 215). The complex inheritance patterns of affective disorders (inclusive of depression) has made it difficult to isolate those genetic factors most likely to be disruptive to its inheritors. However, "decreased platelet serotonin (5-HT) transport and reduced binding of imipramine or paroxetine to brain and platelet 5-HT uptake sites/transporters in patients with depression and suicide victims define the 5-HTT as a candidate gene" (Lesch, 1995, p. 215). In presenting the complexity of the research preceding his own, Lesch (1995) does concede that since depressed patients exhibit such vast differences in sensitivity to antidepressant drug treatment, this "nonresponse rate of 30%-40%" must be taken into consideration (p. 216). In reviewing the history of 5-HT and its own marked path of reception, the complication of gender also frequently arises. Since serotonin effects not only mood swing but both physical and sexual appetites, researchers ha
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Approximate Word count = 1680
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)

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