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What is Serotonin ?
Serotonin is a chemical compound
inside the body, which is used to relay electrical signals from
the central nervous system to other cells. Serotonin is found
extensively in the human gastrointestinal tract, as well as in
the blood stream. It is said to be an important component in
controlling and regulating mood, sleep, emesis, vomiting,
sexuality and appetite. It is also considered to be behind
several psychological disorders like depression, migraine and
anxiety. It also plays a major role in several biochemical
processes like liver regeneration and inducing cell division. A
low level of utilization of serotonin in human body is
considered responsible for neuro chemical symptoms of
depression. Low levels of serotonin in turn can cause an anxiety
disorder, because serotonin is needed to metabolize stress
hormones. Due to this reason serotonin is an essential component
in several anti depression medicines. It is also an important
component in medicines for the treatment of anxiety disorders,
panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and eating
disorders. Serotonins also play a key role in embryonic
development, study suggests the brain chemical serotonin is
present in embryos long before neurons form and plays a role in
determining the position of organs during embryonic development.
Chemical composition of serotonin ?
Serotonin consists of one amino group connected to an aromatic
ring by a two carbon chain. In the body, serotonin is
synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan by a short metabolic
pathway consisting of two enzymes - TPH (1, 2) and DDC. TPH1
reaction controls the flux through the pathway.
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Who
discovered serotonin ?
This chemical compound was first isolated and was christened
with the name “serotonin” by a man named Maurice m.rapport in
the year 1940. It was initially identified as a vasoconstrictor
substance in blood serum - hence serotonin, a serum agent
affecting vascular tone. After chemical analysis its chemical
name was given as 5-hydroxytryptamine.soon several
neuropsychological effects of this compound was found and it
soon became a common name in the field of pharmacology.
Medicines to change serotonin levels
in the body ?
Since serotonin affect the working of the central nervous system
it is an important component in several psychiatric medicines
including monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic
antidepressants (TCAs), atypical antipsychotics, and the
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
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Monoamine
oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): They are a class of anti
depressant drugs which affect the body by decreasing the serotin
level in the body. They are particularly effective in treating
atypical depression; it also helps in smoking addicts leave
there addiction. Due to potentially lethal dietary and drug
interactions they had been reserved as a last line of defense,
used only when other classes of antidepressant drugs had been
tried unsuccessfully. However a new variant of the drug called
the emsam is found not to enter the gastro intestinal system
therefore in the process eliminating the dangers of dietary
interactions associated with MAOI pills.
Selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors(SSRI): It's still not clear precisely how
SSRIs affect depression. Certain brain chemicals called
neurotransmitters are associated with depression, including the
neurotransmitter serotonin (ser-oh-TOE-nin). Research suggests
that abnormalities in neurotransmitter activity can affect mood
and behavior. SSRIs seem to relieve symptoms of depression by
blocking the re absorption (reuptake) of serotonin by certain
nerve cells in the brain. This leaves more serotonin available,
which enhances neurotransmission - the sending of nerve impulses
- and improves mood. SSRIs are called selective because they
seem to affect only serotonin, not other neurotransmitters.
Atypical anti psychotics:
This class of medications is prescribed by doctors for treatment
of psychiatric disorders. They are normally prescribed for the
treatment of schizophrenia, acute mania, bipolar mania,
psychotic agitation, bipolar maintenance, and other indications.
Although this pharmacologic effect occurs immediately, often the
patient's symptoms do not respond for several weeks.
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Serotonin syndrome diseases
It’s a complications caused by the excess of serotonin levels in
the central nervous system. The main reason behind this
complication is the intake of high dosage serotonegric drugs and
that to for long intervals of time without an adequate wash out
period between drugs. also when antidepressants are changed less
frequently it can also be caused by moderate dosage of a single
serotonergeric drugs, when combinations of serotonergic agents
are used together, or in combination with non-serotonergeric
drugs such as oxycodone, erythromycin.
Although serotonin is a rare disease but when affected by it can
cause serious complications and sometimes potentially life
threatening medical conditions. The main problem is that there
is no lab test to prove it only observations of the symptoms are
done for diagnosis. So what happens is that it normally go |
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unrecognized because it is often
mistaken for a viral illness, anxiety, neurological disorder or
worsening psychiatric condition. The main challenge for the doctor
is to diagnose the diseases and importantly differentiate between
serotonin syndrome and neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which show
similar symptoms.
Some
symptoms that might point towards serotine syndrome are
• Psychological symptoms mental confusion, hypomania, agitation,
headache, coma.
• Physical symptoms shivering, sweating, fever, hypertension,
tachycardia, nausea, diarrhea. Insomnia, sleep disruption, and un
refreshing sleep.
• Somatic symptoms myoclonus/clonus , hyperreflexia, tremor.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment procedure for the treatment of
somatic syndrome. How ever doctors might administer cyproheptadine
or methysergide to control the symptoms. This is because the
symptoms can be sometimes very life threatening. Normal procedure
involves only discontinuation of the drug that might be considered
responsible for the syndrome and than apply a wait and watch
approach. Under normal conditions once the offending medication is
discontinued the complications are resolved on its own within 24
hours.
Serotonin sources
Serotonin is not digested from diet. It is a neurotransmitter that
your body synthesizes from tryptophan. Any food that provides
tryptophan would be a good source for the synthesis of serotonin
lile meat, poultry, lamb, and fish. That is no problem. The problem
is letting the seratonin get to your brain. The protein in the green
salads and fruits tends to block the serotonin in favor of another
chemical. You can counter this by eating crabs, because
carbohydrates give serotonin the edge it needs to get into the
brain.
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