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SERT

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 18, 2023·4 min read

How Serotonin Genes and SSRIs Can Contribute to Heart Valve Disease

Taking SSRIs and having the "long-long" serotonin SERT genetic variant lowers SERT activity in the mitral valve, leading to degenerative mitral regurgitation, one of the most common heart valve diseases.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 2, 2020·6 min read

Guilt by Dissociation: The Role of Serotonin in Autism

SERT Ala56 impacts the structure of the SERT protein cells, increasing the activity of the transporter to abnormally high levels. The high-activity state results in the removal of too much serotonin from brain sites where serotonin is needed, both during development and in adults.

This shows a scary shadow and an anxious man

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 9, 2020·6 min read

How Fear Transforms into Anxiety

In anxiety, neural activity becomes elevated across many specific brain regions, and normal coordination between the networks becomes decreased.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·March 20, 2020·3 min read

New drug can ease the side effects of medication against severe depression

A new substance named Lu AF60097 may help reduce side effects from tricyclic antidepressants in those with severe depression.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·February 11, 2020·5 min read

Research points to potential brain marker of stress and its effects on problem solving

Genetics testing revealed those with a greater susceptibility to stress have at least one copy of a variation in the serotonin transporter gene. Additionally, changes to connections in the middle temporal gyrus related to changes in cognitive performance during stress.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 20, 2018·5 min read

Octopuses Given Ecstasy Reveal Genetic Link to Evolution of Social Behaviors in Humans

Testing the behavioral reaction to MDMA in octopuses, researchers report they have discovered evidence of an evolutionary link between the sea creatures and humans.

Image shows serotonin levels in brain scans.

Featured Neurology

·August 14, 2017·8 min read

Lower Brain Serotonin Levels Linked to Dementia

A new Johns Hopkins University study adds further evidence to the link between serotonin and dementia. According to researchers, lower serotonin levels may play a key role in memory decline and drive the progression of Alzheimer's.

Image shows a stick and ball model of serotonin.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 28, 2017·6 min read

How Serotonin Contributes to Cocaine’s Allure

A new study reinforces the idea that serotonin, a molecule associated with mood, directly contributes to the actions of cocaine.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 18, 2016·3 min read

The Ecstasy Effect: How Ecstasy Affects the Brain

According ecstasy users showed significant reductions in the way serotonin is transported in the brain.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·October 9, 2015·3 min read

Sex Reassignment Hormone Treatments Alter Brain Chemistry

A new study reports sex hormones taken by those undergoing gender reassignment can alter brain chemistry and increase risk for mood disorders, especially in men transitioning into women.

This shows a person in a hoodie curled up against a wall.

Featured Genetics Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·September 22, 2015·4 min read

SERT Gene Magnifies Psychological Impact of Life Events

A new study reports people with a specific type of gene are more deeply affected by their life experiences. The findings challenge traditional thinking about depression.