Lack of which neurotransmitter is associated with clinical depression?

Clinical depression is often linked to an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, with serotonin being one of the most significant players. This neurotransmitter is primarily involved in regulating mood, emotion, and overall sense of well-being. Low levels of serotonin can lead to symptoms such as sadness, lethargy, anxiety, and disrupted sleep patterns commonly observed in individuals suffering from depression.

Research in neuroscience has consistently shown that serotonin not only influences mood but also affects other cognitive functions like memory and learning. This is why many antidepressant medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are designed to increase serotonin levels in the brain, aiming to alleviate symptoms of depression.

While dopamine and norepinephrine are also important neurotransmitters and can impact mood and emotional status, the connection between serotonin and clinical depression is particularly strong and well-established. GABA, on the other hand, is primarily an inhibitory neurotransmitter and is not directly linked to the regulation of mood in the same way that serotonin is. This understanding of neurotransmitter roles is critical for anyone studying the biochemical basis of mood disorders.