Lecture 23 - Serotonin and Mood Disorders

Question 1

Serotonin is often referred to as 5-HT.
What does this stand for?

Answer 1

5-hydroxytryptamine.

Question 2

Where in the brain are the serotonin-producing neurons?

Answer 2

They are located in the RAPHE nucleus.

Question 3

Serotonin has different effects on different parts of the brain.
How can this be the case?

Answer 3

The effect serotonin will have depends on the receptor subtype that it binds to.
Different areas of the brain have different serotonin subtypes and this means that serotonin will have a different effect on different areas of the brain.

Question 4

What amino acid is synthesised into serotonin?

Answer 4

TRYPTOPHAN.

Question 5

What has PET scanning of depressed/non-depressed people’s brain shown in regards to serotonin receptors?

Answer 5

It was found that those with depression had significantly lower levels of certain serotonin receptors than those without depression.

Question 6

What mood disorder is commonly associated with serotonin?

Answer 6

Depression.

Question 7

Depression has also been linked to abnormalities in a gene linked to serotonin transportation.
True?

Answer 7

True.

Question 8

An experiment with Tryptophan Depletion has shown what?

Answer 8

It showed that lack of tryptophan can lead to depressive symptoms.