brain function in depression?!


Question: Brain function in depression?
i have to write a a research essay on depression and im kind of stuck in trying find the brain functions in depression. PLZZZ HELP!!!!!!

Answers:

A way you can go about this is by searching up TREATMENTS for depression - and then finding out WHY they work (i.e. what brain function are they fixing?).

I know that depression is associated with low levels of serotonin (a neurotransmitter - brain chemical) in the brain.

This means that:
1) either the ability to produce this neurotransmitter is reduced
2) or the enzymes surrounding the synapse just degrade it too quickly
3) or the neurons take up that neurotransmitter too quickly from the synapse
4) or maybe something else.... dun dun dunnnn

So look up: serotonin and depression (also norepinephrine too, but mostly serotonin).
(The widely used drug Prozac, also known as fluoxetine, is an SSRI - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, it causes serotonin to remain in the synapse longer and stimulate neurons more - that's related to #3 on my list).

And I think there was diminished function in the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for judgement, so look that up too.

Just go to Google -> Scholar and write something like "depression function" and it'll spew out many research articles with those keywords.

Hope this helps!

Neuroscience competition and 3 related courses.




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