Correlations for Serotonin Levels and Measures of Mood in a Nonclinical Sample

Abstract

The Beck Depression Inventory is frequently used to detect depression and its severity because depression is a prevalent mood disorder and is commonly treated by prescription of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac. The importance of serotonin (5-HT) in the treatment of major depression is evident but the nature of this involvement is unclear. In this study, the characteristics of platelets are employed as a peripheral model of the neuron to estimate central serotonergic activity, which is a consequence of numerous factors including 5-HT2 receptor sensitivity. The greater the sensitivity of the platelet serotonin receptors, the lower the concentration of serotonin required to mobilise a particular amount of calcium from internal stores through serotonin stimulation. Hence, Platelet 5-HT2 receptor sensitivity is inferred from the concentration of serotonin that is required to produce half maximal intracellular calcium mobilisation (EC50). In the present study, the correlation of -.422 between scores on the Beck Depression Inventory and EC50 in a sample of 49 university students was significant, implying that mood is significantly related to 5-HT2 receptor sensitivity, such that increases in depressed mood are accompanied by increases in 5-HT2 receptor sensitivity.

Predator Exposure/Psychosocial Stress Animal Model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Modulates Neurotransmitters in the Rat Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex

“…5-HT is also the principle regulator of mood. A study by Peirson et al [11] found lower platelet 5-HT 2 receptor function was associated with depressed mood, while Williams et al [12] demonstrated higher blood 5-HT levels were correlated with better mood. An increased mood and overall sense of well-being has been shown, in both psychiatric and physical disorders, as protective and positively correlated with resiliency behavior [13].…”

Depression among University Students in South Africa

“…However, studes of college students in Britain (Dent & Sakovshs, 1986), Australia (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995), and North America (Dozois, Dobson, & Ahnberg, 1998) have yielded mean scores between 5 and 8 on the Beck Depression Inventory. A study at an historically White South African University yielded a higher mean score of 10.9 (Peirson & Heuchert, 2000). Against this background the authors were interested in depression scores at an historically Black South African university.…”

The healing power of well-being

“…Several studies found an association between measures related to serotonin and mood in the normal range. Lower platelet serotonin 2 receptor function was associated with lower mood in one study (34), whereas better mood was associated with higher levels of blood serotonin in another study (35). Two studies found that greater prolactin release in response to fenfluramine was associated with a more positive mood (36,37).…”