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| New Cause of Depression? | ||||||||
| The communication system of the brain consists of neurotransmitters and synaptic receptors. Neurotransmitters (the messengers) are released and travel across the synapse to the receptor; this process completes a single transfer of information. The concentration of the neurotransmitters in the brain is controlled by a process called reuptake: any neurotransmitters that are not received by the receptor are sent back. In the case of depression, the serotonin is not received well by the receptor and is then reuptaken before it can transmit its information. The latest treatment for depression has been drugs that decrease the reuptake of serotonin, thus allowing it to reach the receptor. However, a new cause of depression is under investigation. It appears that there are two alleles for the receptor gene. When paired with stress, one of the alleles causes heightened activity in the amygdala, which is the fear-focused part of the brain. When stress is applied to a person, activity in the amygdala increases, and this can cause a person's perception of the world to be highly menacing. This change in perception in turn increases stress and therefore depression. |
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