Neurochemical Explanation For Depression

Question 0

What is it though that the symptoms of depression result from

Answer 0

Chemical imbalance in the brain and stems from the basic neurochemical principle that all behaviours and traits can be attributed to our chemical make up.

Question 1

Why proximate

Answer 1

Explain immediate cause of depression

Question 2

The symptoms of depression are thought to result from low levels of what neuro transmitters

Answer 2

Serotonin
Dopamine
Noradrenaline.

These are the chemicals in the brain that have a role to pass on information from one nerve cell to another or a tissue or organ.

Question 3

What are the neurotransmitters associated with

Answer 3

Mood amoung other psychological and behavioural outcomes such as sex drive, memory, social interactions and cognitive function all of which are affected in depression.

Question 4

There are three possibilities as to why these low levels of neurotransmitters may occur

Answer 4

The pre synaptic nerve cell may produce too little neurochemical meaning the message is poorly passed from one cell to the other.

The post synaptic neurone may be under sensitive meaning too little neurochemical is taken in and the message cannot be delivered correctly.

The reputable mechanism may be too quick and takes back the left over neurochemical before the post synaptic cell has finished taking in the message.

Question 5

This faulty chemical transmission could be the result of

Answer 5

A faulty gene - deterministic
Or
Structural damage in the synapse resulting from a closed head injury.

Question 6

What else is thought to cause symptoms of depression

Answer 6

Hormone imbalance. Specifically cortisol the stress hormone is found to be excessive in those with depression. High levels of cortisol could result in depression as it is released as part of the stress response and an outcome of this is feelings of anxiety which would explain the self Doubt and worry in the depression