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Updated: Aug 6, 2025
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The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior
Published on: March 2, 2015
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Fifty years on: Serotonin and depression
Sameer Jauhar1, Philip J Cowen2, Michael Browning2
1Department of Psychological Medicine, IoPPN, King's College, London, UK.
Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
|March 20, 2023
Summary
The serotonin hypothesis of depression, proposed 50 years ago, is re-examined. This review synthesizes evidence from psychopharmacology, molecular imaging, and neuroscience to assess its current validity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The serotonin hypothesis of depression was first proposed over 50 years ago.
- Recent scientific discourse has raised questions regarding the hypothesis's validity.
- This review addresses the ongoing debate surrounding serotonin's role in depression.
Approach:
- A narrative review methodology was employed.
- Evidence was synthesized from psychopharmacology studies.
- Molecular imaging and systems-level neuroscience findings were integrated.
Key Points:
- The review critically evaluates the empirical support for the serotonin hypothesis.
- It examines the impact of psychopharmacological interventions targeting serotonin.
- Neuroimaging and neuroscience data are analyzed for their relevance to the hypothesis.
Conclusions:
- The current evidence for the serotonin hypothesis of depression is critically assessed.
- The review provides a comprehensive overview of research findings.
- It aims to inform future research directions in depression.
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