Neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, play a role in regulating mood, pleasure, and sleep. Imbalances in these chemicals can contribute to depression, and multiple neurotransmitters may be involved. Drugs targeting only one neurotransmitter may not be effective for some individuals.
Research on the brain, nervous system, and psychological or mood disorders has provided insight into neurotransmitters and their influences. These transmitters are an endogenous chemical, which means they are produced within the body. There are many neurotransmitters produced by different cells, but there are three neurotransmitters known to affect mental function: dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Each of these chemicals affects depression in different ways, alone or together, and play a role in how mood, pleasure and sleep are regulated.
Neurotransmitters are message chemicals. They have the main function of carrying messages between cells. Neurotransmitters travel from one neuron, along the synapse and to the receptor on a nearby neuron. There are different types of cells in the body and each cell type produces different neurotransmitters. A link in the role of neurotransmitters in depression has been found through research studies.
Dopamine is a possible contributor to the role of neurotransmitters in depression. This neurotransmitter affects mood and pleasure. Increased dopamine levels lead to prolonged exposure. Studies have shown that receptors in the brain have caused regulatory proteins to become inactive, resulting in a depressive state when a person is exposed to stress. A reduction in dopamine levels can also cause depression to develop.
Another known contributor to the role of neurotransmitters in depression is norepinephrine. This neurotransmitter regulates the stress response. While low levels of norepinephrine can cause depression, not all people with depression will have low levels. Some people will have a decrease in norepinephrine, but not enough to lead to depression. In these cases, serotonin has an effect on norepinephrine levels.
As an additional influence on the role of neurotransmitters in depression, serotonin may contribute to depression in two ways. By itself, decreased serotonin levels can cause severe depression. In some cases, suicidal tendencies have been caused by a drop in serotonin levels. Serotonin can also affect norepinephrine levels. Some patients will have a drop in serotonin which also causes a drop in norepinephrine levels.
It is generally assumed that neurotransmitters rely on each other to maintain a balance in the body. Unfortunately, a problem with a neurotransmitter can play a major role in neurotransmitters in cases of depression. A chain reaction occurs. For many people with depression, multiple neurotransmitters cause symptoms. As a result of the research, doctors now know why some people don’t respond to drugs that target just one neurotransmitter.
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