Emotional Amygdala

Emotion is one of the most significant factors that triggers complex human behaviours ; and the cerebral part regulating this special attribute is called amygdala. It is an almond-shaped brain part which processes fear and other emotions in our brain.

In a research conducted by Ahmad R. Hariri (2002), the transporter gene that amydgdala enlivened was studied via fMRI. The result showed that people who had inherited at least one copy of short transporter gene demonstrated the influence of amydgdala by emotive faces. On the contrary, subjects with two long forms of transporter gene showed less active activity.

Recent research done by Turhan Canli suggests that those who have inherited the short serotonin transporter gene are more easily aroused even just by seeing negative words. However, this does not mean that people with the short transporter gene will beget depression easily unless the environment in which they live also conspires against them.

Thus, both biological and environmental factors are determining in a person’s onset of depression. Certainly there are various drugs that can regulate serotonin in our brain but I wonder how much people can do in terms of their own will and support gained from other family members and friends and to what extent these can help reduce depression.

One thing I found interesting in this article ( Scientific American Mind Feb/Mar 2008) is the explanation of “Serotonin Switch”. It reminded me of my short stay at UDT, the behavioural neuroscience I took…

Serotonin Switch

“ Throughout the nervous system, serotonin passes between neurons in a chemical process that can influence mood, sleep or cognition, among other brain and body functions. At the small gaps between neurons called synapses, a so-called pre-synaptic neuron secretes this neurotransmitter, which promptly crosses the divide, or synaptic cleft. The postsynaptic neuron receives the serotonin via specialized chemically excited or inhibited. The neuron the reverts to its original state after serotonin transporters capture the remaining serotonin from the synaptic cleft and return to the presynaptic cell in a process called reuptake.” By Turhan Canli.

Written by JerSki BjorkSen