Articles tagged with Serotonin
A study by Northeastern University researchers found that adolescent steroid use is linked to reduced serotonin levels, particularly in areas related to aggression and violence. The study suggests that long-term exposure to steroids during adolescence may permanently alter the production of the 'feel-good' receptor.
Researchers found that anorectic drug d-FEN activates melanocortin neurons, linking serotonin system to obesity and anorexia. The discovery proposes a new mechanism for treating eating disorders and obesity.
A study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center researchers identifies the melanocortin system as a key player in regulating body weight. The discovery sheds light on how appetite suppressant drugs like fenfluramine work, offering new insights into the complex interactions between serotonin and melanocortin systems.
A study found that subjects with one or two copies of a short gene variant experienced greater activation of the amygdala when shown pictures of scary faces. This variation in the serotonin transporter gene may influence an individual's temperament and anxiety traits.
Researchers investigate how reducing serotonin levels affects people with and without depression. The study uses tryptophan depletion to temporarily lower serotonin levels in participants, aiming to discover new ways to predict who is at risk for major depression and when treatment can be safely discontinued.
Researchers have found that people with depression have a persistent biological abnormality in their serotonin systems, even when not depressed. The study, published in Neuropsychopharmacology, suggests depression reflects a genetic trait and may require longer medication use.
A study by the American Academy of Neurology found that individuals with depression are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those without depression. The researchers suggest that low levels of serotonin in the brain may contribute to both depression and Parkinson's disease, increasing the risk of developing the latter.
Researchers report that a critical period between 5-21 days after birth is crucial for normal anxiety-like behavior, triggered by serotonin stimulation of the forebrain receptor. This timing enables long-lasting changes in brain chemistry or structure essential for normal emotional behavior throughout life.
A genetic study found that a polymorphism in the serotonin transporter promoter region is associated with mood response during tryptophan depletion, indicating a potential link between diet and depression relapse. The study suggests that individual genetic differences may influence the impact of dietary changes on depressive symptoms.
A Dutch study found that long-term ecstasy use is associated with brain-cell damage in women, particularly in serotonin neurons. The effects of moderate ecstasy use on these neurons have not been studied, highlighting the need for further research.
Research finds a link between family history of alcoholism, serotonin variation, and behavioral problems in children. Children with a genetic variant associated with increased serotonin reuptake are more likely to exhibit impulsivity, depression, and anxiety.
A recent study found that adolescents with both alcohol and antisocial problems exhibit an increase in serotonin function, contradicting previous research on Type II alcoholism. This suggests that serotonin dysregulation may be key to high-risk behaviors, rather than low or high levels of the neurotransmitter.
Researchers found that fen-phen use can cause abnormal thickening of heart valve leaflets, possibly due to increased production of TBF-beta-1. Serotonin and tryptophan may play a role in this process.
A recent study has found that long-term Ecstasy use can lead to a significant decrease in serotonin levels in the brain. The research, published by the American Academy of Neurology, reveals that Ecstasy users experience a massive release and depletion of serotonin, which can contribute to behavioral problems such as depression.
Researchers discovered a sub-group of alcoholics who self-medicate low serotonin levels with carbohydrates when not drinking. Carbohydrates increase serotonin levels, similar to alcohol, and this study provides insight into treating alcoholics with disturbed serotonergic function.
Research reveals a strong interaction between neuroticism and the serotonin transporter gene in influencing cigarette smoking behavior. Individuals with poorly expressed serotonin transporter genotypes and high levels of neuroticism face significant challenges in quitting smoking. This study suggests personalized approaches to smoking ...
A study by Duke University Medical Center researcher Edward Suarez found that stress triggers an immune response in people with low serotonin levels, increasing the risk of heart disease. Subjects with normal or high serotonin levels showed no increased immune response under stressful conditions.
Researchers found that tricyclic antidepressant nortriptyline is more effective in treating post-stroke depression than selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The study, conducted at the University of Iowa, compared nortriptyline with fluoxetine and a placebo in 104 patients within six months of their strokes.
Researchers found changes in brain cells in rats treated with anti-depressant and obesity drugs, including shriveling and abnormal corkscrew shapes. The study raises concerns about the prolonged use of such commonly prescribed drugs as fluoxetine and sertraline.
Scientists discovered that Prozac increases new neurons in rats' brains by 69% compared to controls. This finding may explain why people recover from depression with SSRIs. The study also suggests serotonin's role in treating other neurological diseases like Alzheimer's.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center discovered novel regulatory mechanisms that move serotonin transporters on and off the cell surface. This finding opens possibilities for developing new antidepressant drugs with novel actions.
Ritalin and other stimulants appear to restore balance between dopamine and serotonin, calming hyperactivity. The study suggests that targeting serotonin may be a more effective approach to treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) than previously thought.
A study using genetically engineered mice suggests that Ritalin calms humans with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by affecting serotonin levels, rather than dopamine. The findings provide a new understanding of the drug's mechanism of action and could lead to more effective treatments for ADHD.
Researchers created genetically altered mice that exhibit anxiety to study the serotonin system's contribution to anxiety and depression. The model could help develop more refined targets for psychiatric drugs and provide insights into inherited personality disorders.
A new Johns Hopkins study shows that ecstasy users are at risk of developing brain injury due to the drug's impact on serotonin-releasing nerves. The research found significant losses in these nerve cells with greater use, suggesting potential long-term damage.
Researchers found that the fen-phen diet drug combination was potentially toxic due to the destruction of serotonin control in blood plasma. This could lead to primary pulmonary hypertension and heart valve lesions in some users. The study highlights the importance of complete and up-to-date drug labels.
Researchers investigated whether a specific serotonin transporter gene polymorphism is associated with psychosis and hallucinations in schizophrenia. Patients with the ll genotype had significantly higher ratings for psychosis and increased intensity of hallucinations compared to those with other genotypes.
Scientists have found that a marine snail venom extracts can prevent serotonin from acting on a specific receptor in African toad eggs, which is also found in the human brain. This discovery could provide insight into regulating nerve cell behavior and designing new drugs to control serotonin's actions.
A study by UPMC researchers found that serotonin receptors in the brain decline by 55% with age, even after accounting for normal aging changes. This decline may contribute to the development of depression and Alzheimer's disease, highlighting the need for effective treatments.
Researchers have found a possible genetic cause of bipolar affective disorder, linking it to the serotonin transporter gene. The study suggests that variations in this gene may lead to unstable moods and increased susceptibility to the illness.
A study of 86 individuals with autism and their parents found a significant relationship between the serotonin transporter gene and autism. The discovery could lead to improved diagnosis and medical treatment for autism, providing hope for those affected by this complex disorder.
Cornell researchers have developed a new technique to measure serotonin concentration in live cells, using pulsed lasers for excitation. This method allows for the visualization of serotonin secretory granules in real-time without damaging the cell or requiring external fluorescent markers.
Researchers have developed a new imaging technique to visualize brain cells releasing serotonin in humans, potentially resolving the safety debate over two popular diet drugs. The method could provide valuable information on the risks of fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine, and its applications extend beyond diet drug studies.