The Effect of Serotonin on the Brain in Suicide Patients

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The Effect of Serotonin on the Brain in Suicide Patients

While this writer had some rudimentary knowledge of the impact serotonin had on the brain, "Why? The Neuroscience of Suicide" by Carol Ezzell piqued my curiosity on the role levels of serotonin and the process by which it is absorbed in the brain affect suicidal patients. This article was recently posted on the Neurology and Behavior website as supplemental reading for neurology and behavior's spring semester 2003 class. In this article the writer Carol Ezzell weaves her own personal experience with informative reporting of groundbreaking neuroscience research on suicide. Through further research I discovered various articles on a group of scientists from Columbia University doing research on the difference in people's brains whom have attempted suicide and or succeeded.

It is widely accepted that the level of serotonin present in the brain has a significant affect on the behavior of an individual, specifically, an individuals mood. SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) are common medications that treat major depression. Thus affecting the mood of an individual. Some would argue improving the quality of life of people who suffer from clinical depression.

The amount of serotonin in the brain has an affect on an individual's behavior. "Low levels of the chemical are associated with clinical depression". (1) According to an article in "Time Domestic" entitled Suicide Check, serotonin may not reach some parts of the brain in adequate amounts in suicide victims. The article cites a study by Dr. John Mann of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. Dr. Mann's study "...focuses on a section of white matter-the orbital c...

... middle of paper ...

...ng and nutrition) accordingly. Would the same be applicable to the possibility of suicide? Meaning before it becomes a reality, sufferers of this disorder would be able to have choices to take care of themselves accordingly using therapy and medication as a way of avoiding the possibility of disastrous consequences. New developments in this area of neuroscience will have an affect on the care given in the future to suicidal patients.

References

1) Bipolar Disorder; Complete Digest of information

http://www.lorenbennett.org/scheck.htm.

2)Scientific American.com

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?%20articleID=00050A43-740B-1E1C-8B3B809EC588EEDF

3)Reutershealth,com

http://www.reutershealth.com/%20archive%20/2003/01/28/eline/links/20030128elin001%20.html

4)Psychiatric Institute 2000

http://nypisys.cpmc.columbia.edu/AR%202000/Research/Neurobiology.html

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