role of serotonin as a neural mechanism
- Created by: Aimee W x
- Created on: 14-03-22 12:52
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- the role of serotonin as a neural mechanism
- a neural influence on the brain is the neurotransmitter serotonin, which has a widespread inhibitory effect throughout the brain
- normal levels inhibits the firing of the amygdala, helping to control anger/fear and other emotional responses.
- low levels remove this inhibitory effect with the consequence that individuals are less able to control impulsive and aggressive behaviour (serotonin deficiency hypothesis)
- low levels are also associated with an increased susceptibility to impulsive aggression and violent suicide
- research into serotonin comes from Raleigh et al: he found vervet monkey that fed on a diet high in tryptophan showed a decrease in aggression levels compared to the monkeys that fed on a diet low in tryptophan - increase in aggressive behaviour/ this suggests the difference in aggression could be attributed to their serotonin levels.
- Bond also found antidepressants that raise serontonin levels tend to reduce impulsive aggression. this suggests that serotonin may have a direct impact on aggression
- a neural influence on the brain is the neurotransmitter serotonin, which has a widespread inhibitory effect throughout the brain
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