Tag: depression
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Novel findings in the biology of depression: Is now the time to update the 60-year-old serotonin theory?
Serotonin is a hormone produced by nerve cells from tryptophan, an amino acid which enters our body through our diet. Foods such as nuts, cheese and red meat are rich in tryptophan and hence, consumption of these products correlates with higher serotonin levels. Serotonin systemically affects our body, from motor functions to emotions. Serotonin in…
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A Very Short Introduction to Depression review
CW: mental health Jan Scott, a Professor of Psychological Medicine at Newcastle University, and Dr Mary Jane Tacchi, a consultant psychiatrist, make a formidable duo. The former, more outgoing and easily slipping into the role of professor, the latter slightly more introverted and observant but nevertheless an easy complement to her colleague. This duo took…
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A genetic link between inflammation and depression?
Whilst there are many different cell types in our body, each contains the same DNA. In order to perform their particular roles, the cell types react differently to the DNA’s instructions by controlling when and how much each gene is expressed. There are entire subsets of genes whose only function is to regulate the expression…