Depression

A few notes on the effects/causes of depression on/due to the brain.

Depressed subjects have less dopamine activity in the nucleus accumbens
Dorsal striatum has strong ties with the nucleus accumbens
Dopamine released in dorsal striatum doesn’t increase feelings of pleasure
Patterns in the dorsal striatum can’t be erased, ever
Serotonin is not unlimited
Inhibiting an impulse uses serotonin
The dopamine system helps modulating both slow-wave deep sleep and rem sleep
Circadian rhythms influence the production of dopamine receptors, dopamine transponders and dopamine itself
Depressed subjects have dysregulated oxytocin. Meaning, it is not always released when it should and it’s sometimes released when should not. The brain responds to oxytocin isn’t always on target
Lower levels of oxytocin means more feelings of life not being worth living
Child abuse can cause lower levels of oxytocin
People with depression are more likely to have a gene for the oxytocin receptor that decreases confidence in social relationships and increases the need for approval
Pleasure from social interactions correlates with oxytocin levels, in depressed people
The oxytocin system supports the serotonin system
Drugs drammatically lower oxytocin levels
When sex hormones levels jump or drop, oxytocin neurons can stop working smoothly
Cures/drugs that can influence the dopamine system: Wellbutrin, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation