role of serotonin as a neural mechanism

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  • 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

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