Biomedical View- Monoamine Imbalance

Question 1

Explain the monoamine imbalance theory

Answer 1

some explanations for depression implicate that there is an imbalance of monoamines which are neurotransmitters such as serotonin.

Question 2

Where does most of the evidence for this theory come from?

Answer 2

mostly from studies showing that certain antidepressant drugs such as SSRI’s, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, influence the availability of neurotransmitters.
done from research findings rather than an initial neural hypothesis.

Question 3

What did Moncrieff, 2008 conclude

Answer 3

no evidence for the serotonin imbalance theory / any other monoamines.

Question 4

What is an issue with this theory and why is it so heavily believed?
what does this make the information?

Answer 4

drug companies have tirelessly tried to promote the idea that the imbalance of serotonin is responsible that lead to a depression diagnosis.
publication bias

Question 5

what is the idea balance of neurotransmitters?

Answer 5

the ideal balance is unknown