Link Between Serotonin and Depression Questioned
THURSDAY, Aug. 11, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Evidence is lacking for an association between serotonin and depression, according to a systematic umbrella review published online July 20 in Molecular Psychiatry.
In a systematic umbrella review, Joanna Moncrieff, M.D., from University College London, and colleagues evaluated evidence on whether depression is associated with lowered serotonin concentration or activity. Data were included from 17 studies, 12 of which were systematic reviews and meta-analyses; the studies had variable quality.
The researchers observed no association with depression in two meta-analyses of overlapping studies that examined the serotonin metabolite 5-HIAA. No association with depression was seen in a meta-analysis of cohort studies of plasma serotonin, while there was evidence for lowered serotonin concentration in association with antidepressant use. Weak and inconsistent evidence of reduced binding in some areas was seen in two meta-analyses of overlapping studies examining the 5-HT1A receptor and three meta-analyses of overlapping studies examining SERT binding; this could be consistent with increased synaptic availability of serotonin in people with depression, but the effects of prior antidepressant use were not reliably excluded. Tryptophan depletion studies showed no effect in most healthy volunteers, but weak evidence was seen in those with a family history of depression. No evidence of an association with depression was seen in the two largest and highest-quality studies of the SERT gene, one genetic association study, and one collaborative meta-analysis.
"We suggest it is time to acknowledge that the serotonin theory of depression is not empirically substantiated," the authors write.
One author disclosed being cofounder of a company that aims to help people safely stop antidepressants; two authors are co-chairs of the Critical Psychiatry Network.
Related Posts
Myocarditis Up After Second Dose of mRNA-1273 Versus BNT162b2
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 9, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- The rates of myocarditis and...
One in Four Patients in ICU Receive Red Blood Cell Transfusion
MONDAY, Oct. 16, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- For patients admitted to intensive...
La comida rápida podría ser tóxica para el hígado
JUEVES, 12 de enero de 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Hágale un favor a su hígado, y...
Cuando se trata del juego, los bebés son los expertos
MIÉRCOLES, 29 de septiembre de 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Pase tiempo con bebés y...