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New Model for Brain Chemistry of Depression

Levels of neurotransmitters called monoamines, which include serotonin, dopamine and neurepinephrine, have long been believed to be lower in the brain during depressive episodes. However, scientists have only just been able to create a convincing model to explain this loss.

In a paper published in the Archives of General Psychiatry this month, researchers show that depressed people have 34 percent higher levels of a protein called monoamine oxidase A, or MAO-A, in their brains. The elevated presence of this substance in turn leads to the faster metabolization of monoamines during depressive episodes (see diagram here), resulting in low levels of the mood-associated chemicals.


Read more: New Depression Model Advances Disease Frontiers

ABSTRACT: Elevated Monoamine Oxidase A Levels in the Brain

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This page contains a single entry from Psychology Briefs, the FindCounseling.com Blog, posted on November 9, 2006 9:18 AM.

The previous post was Gene Linked to Depression Found to Enlarge Brain Region.

The next post is Percentage of Infants Thought to be 'Depressed'.

Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the Psychology Research Archives.

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