The prevalence of mental disorders is a significant challenge for global public health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately one in five people treated in primary health care have some type of mental disorder. This article, based on the study by Velibor Kostic and Fabiano de Abreu Agrela Rodrigues (2023), published in Ciencia Latina Revista CientĂfica Multidisciplinar, explores the relationship between neurotransmitters and mental disorders, highlighting the importance of neurochemical balance for mental health.
Relationship between Neurotransmitters and Mental Disorders
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers essential for communication between neurons. They play a crucial role in regulating brain and behavioral functions. Mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia are associated with imbalances in specific neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, GABA, and glutamate.
For example, depression is often linked to low levels of serotonin. Serotonin is a critical modulator of mood, sleep, and appetite. Studies indicate that serotonin deficiency can lead to depressive symptoms, justifying the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as an effective treatment for depression. In contrast, schizophrenia may be associated with excess dopamine, especially at D2 receptors in the mesolimbic pathway, resulting in positive symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations​(7924-Text of the article…)​.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders, which include social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, are characterized by excessive fear and anxiety in response to real or perceived threats. These disorders are associated with imbalances in the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems. Neuroimaging reveals that patients with social anxiety disorder have decreased 5-HT1A receptor binding in limbic regions, suggesting serotonergic dysfunction. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are frequently used to treat these disorders because of their efficacy in correcting these imbalances​(7924-Text of the article…)​.
Depressive Disorders
Depressive disorders, including major depressive disorder and dysthymia, involve changes in mood that affect daily functioning. Research has focused on alterations in monoaminergic systems, such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine, caused by antidepressant medications. The historical hypothesis links mood disorders to these systems based on pharmacological observations. The efficacy of antidepressants highlights the importance of long-term brain adaptations in intracellular signaling pathways​(7924-Text of the article…)​.
Personality Disorders
Personality disorders are defined by persistent patterns of behavior and inner experience that deviate from cultural expectations. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), an example of such a disorder, is characterized by obsessions and compulsions. The serotonergic system plays a central role in OCD, with SSRIs proving effective in treatment. However, approximately 40–60% of patients do not respond adequately to SSRIs, leading to investigations into the glutamatergic system​(7924-Text of the article…)​.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious psychiatric disorder that affects approximately 1% of the world’s population. Studies suggest that schizophrenia is associated with alterations in the dopaminergic, glutamatergic, GABAergic and serotonergic systems. Hyperactivity of D2 receptors in the mesolimbic pathway is related to positive symptoms, while dysfunctions in NMDA receptors of the glutamatergic system are associated with negative and cognitive symptoms. These findings highlight the complexity of schizophrenia and the need for an interdisciplinary approach to its understanding and treatment​(7924-Text of the article…)​.
Conclusion
Understanding the relationship between neurotransmitters and mental disorders is critical to developing effective treatments. Correcting neurochemical imbalances can restore mental health and significantly improve patients’ quality of life. Continued research and interdisciplinary approaches are essential to advances in the treatment of these disorders.
Reference:
KOSTIC, V.; AGRELA RODRIGUES, F. Neurotransmitters Related to Mental Diseases and Disorders. Ciencia Latina Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal, v. 7, n. 5, p. 2872-2885, 2023. Available at: https://doi.org/10.37811/cl_rcm.v7i5.7924. Accessed on: October 13, 2023.
Dr. Fabiano de Abreu Agrela Rodrigues MRSB holds a post-PhD in Neuroscience and is an elected member of Sigma Xi – The Scientific Research Honor Society (more than 200 members of Sigma Xi have received the Nobel Prize), as well as being a member of the Society for Neuroscience in the United States, the Royal Society of Biology and The Royal Society of Medicine in the United Kingdom, the European Society of Human Genetics in Vienna, Austria, and the APA – American Philosophical Association in the United States. He holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in History and Biology. He is also a Technologist in Anthropology and Philosophy, with several national and international degrees in Neuroscience and Neuropsychology. Dr. Fabiano is a member of prestigious high IQ societies, including Mensa International, Intertel, ISPE High IQ Society, Triple Nine Society, ISI-Society, and HELLIQ Society High IQ. He is the author of more than 300 scientific studies and 30 books. He is currently a visiting professor at PUCRS in Brazil, UNIFRANZ in Bolivia and Santander in Mexico. He also serves as Director of CPAH – Centro de Pesquisa e Análises Heráclito and is the creator of the GIP project, which estimates IQ through the analysis of genetic intelligence. Dr. Fabiano is also a registered journalist, having his name included in the book of records for achieving four records, one of which is for being the greatest creator of characters in the history of the press.