How is Biology related to depression?
Scientist have discovered that people with depression have diffrences in the brain in relantionship with people that do not suffer from depression. For instance, the hippocampus appears to be smaller in people with a history of depression than in those who've never been depressed. A smaller hippocampus has fewer serotonin receptors. Serotonin is a calming brain chemical known as a neurotransmitter that allows communication between nerves in the brain and the body. It’s also thought that the neurotransmitter norepinephrine may be involved in depression.
The stress hormone cortisol is produced in excess in depressed people. Scientists believe that cortisol has a toxic effect on the hippocampus. One thing is for sure, that depression is a condition that is created by the contribution of many factors. Some of the main causes may be biological facotrs such as the size of the hippocampus.
Scientist have discovered that people with depression have diffrences in the brain in relantionship with people that do not suffer from depression. For instance, the hippocampus appears to be smaller in people with a history of depression than in those who've never been depressed. A smaller hippocampus has fewer serotonin receptors. Serotonin is a calming brain chemical known as a neurotransmitter that allows communication between nerves in the brain and the body. It’s also thought that the neurotransmitter norepinephrine may be involved in depression.
The stress hormone cortisol is produced in excess in depressed people. Scientists believe that cortisol has a toxic effect on the hippocampus. One thing is for sure, that depression is a condition that is created by the contribution of many factors. Some of the main causes may be biological facotrs such as the size of the hippocampus.
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