The document discusses depression as a common mental disorder influenced by genetic, environmental, biological, and psychological factors. It highlights the role of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, linking their deficiencies to depressive symptoms and alterations in brain structure. Neuroimaging studies emphasize the importance of brain regions, such as the prefrontal cortex and cingulate cortex, in emotional stability and stress response, suggesting that depression is a complex physiological illness beyond just a chemical imbalance.

1. Running Head: DEPRESSION
1
DEPRESSION 3
Lana Eliot
Depression
Psychology 630
Professor Benton
August 25, 2018
Many people throughout the world experience some type of
depression in their lives and it is one of the most common
mental disorders. The current statistic show that depression is
linked to genetic, environmental, biological and is also
psychological. Depression can ben found with any age person.
A small child or an adult may have to deal with the depression
that is affecting them. Chemical imbalances in the brain is the
leading cause for a person dealing with the depressive order.
The neurotransmitter is the what we call the communicator
between the brain and the limbic system. Researchers study the
limbic system in the brain as this is where depression starts;

2. especially for anxiety and stress. The 3 major
neurotransmitters; serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine all
have direct relations with a persons’ depression and anxiety.
Serotonin plays a crucial role in our brain. It is associated with
many physical actions that we may portray. The actions
associated with serotonin are mood altering, sleeping patterns,
eating disorders, and aggression. If a persons’ serotonin levels
decrease, they may experience these depressive symptoms. This
can also make persons have a feeling of self-worth and suicidal
feelings.
Another transmitter in the brain which is associated with the
depressive disorder is dopamine. This is the part of the brain
that deals with our motivation and how we gain the feeling of
self-worth and self-pleasure. Early studies suggested that an
existence of neurotransmitter norepinephrine deficiency in some
certain areas of the brain resulted in depression. One main cause
of depression is the reduction in the concentration of certain
neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine.
The decrease in the concentration of these neurotransmitters
leads to disturbed neuronal signal processing which leads to
alterations in the structure of the neuronal networks. These
basic changes are accepted to be one of the fundamental
purposes behind sorrow. The emergence of neuroimaging
techniques, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron
emission tomography (PET) and functional fMRI, established
the importance of the ‘neurocircuit of emotion’ which has been
expanded to include other important brain areas and the
prefrontal cortex (PFC). These brain sites and their connections,
which have been widely studied, are responsible for maintaining
emotional stability and their malfunction is considered central
to the pathophysiology of depression (Palazidou, E., 2012).
Recent follow up studies also shows that there is a group of
individuals with a depression disorder who exhibit low levels of
the chemical norepinephrine. In autopsy studies, it has been
shown that in comparison, people who lives have been marred
with a recurrence of depressive episodes possess lesser

3. norepinephrinergic neurons unlike those who have not had
depressive history. Norepinephrine assist our bodies detect and
respond to stressful instances. Autopsy studies also shows the
cingulate cortex has been observed to be less active in people
who are depressed and hyperactive in people who are manic.
The anterior portion of the cingulate cortex, unlike the rest of
this structure, becomes more active during depression. Though
the functions of the anterior cingulate cortex are highly
complex, it seems to act somewhat like an interface between the
lower, more instinctive parts of the brain and the more rational
circuits of the neocortex. In healthy people, the activation of
this structure would thus help to focus attention on certain
phenomena, often arising from our own bodies, such as pain, or
the negative feelings associated with depression (Dubuc, B.,
2002). People who are susceptible to depression have a
norepinephrinergic system which does not take care of the
effects of stress very well.
There has been many studies and compiled evidence that
persons with stress and depression could involve different
structural variations in the brain. These variations are referred
to as remodeling. An occurrence of remodeling due to stress can
be prevented or even potentially turned back with the correct
treatment involving use of antidepressant as well as mood-
stabilizing medication (Regaine, J. 2015). Additionally, there
have been studies of the brain with imaging. The studies
informed us that there are parts of the brain that co-inside with
the persons mood, how they make decisions, and memory may
have size and functional changes, about, how a person reacts
with depression. “Depression is more than a "chemical
imbalance," it's actually a complicated physiological illness that
involves both brain structure and biological processes”
(Rajkowska, G. 1999).
The three structures of the brain as stated earlier, helps the
brain decide what is stressful and/or depressive and how to
respond. It has been stated that a person with a depressive
disorder may have a weakening of this part of the brain.

4. References
Advokat, C. D., Comaty, J. E., & Julien, R. M. (2014). Julien's
primer of drug action: A comprehensive guide to the actions,
uses, and side effects of psychoactive drugs (13th ed.). New
York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Anacker, C. S.-G. (2016). Neuroanatomic differences associated
with stress susceptibility and resilience. Biological psychiatry,
79(10), 840-849.
Palazidou, E. (2012). The neurobiology of depression. British
Medical Bulletin, 101(1). 127–145. Retrieved from
https://doi.org/10.1093/bmb/lds004
Rajkowska, G. (1999). Brain Changes Seen in People with
Depression. University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/05/990505071039.
htm
Regiane Joca, S. A. (2015). Atypical Neurotransmitters and the
Neurobiology of Depression. CNS & Neurological Disorders-
Drug Targets (Formerly Current Drug Targets-CNS &
Neurological Disorders), 14(8), 1001-1011.
Singhal, G. J. (2015). Inflammasomes in neuroinflammation and
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and Behaviour, 51.

5. Running Head: DEPRESSION
1
Lana Eliot
Depression
Psychology 630
Professor
Benton
August 25, 2018
Running Head: DEPRESSION
1

6. Lana Eliot
Depression
Psychology 630
Professor Benton
August 25, 2018
"Qualitative Studies"
· Find and share the link of one (1) qualitative study on your
research topic.
· Contrast two to three (2-3) findings of the qualitative study to
a quantitative study and discuss key differences between the
manners in which the findings are written in each article.
Topic: How Autistic Students between the ages of 18 to 25 are
Successful in College