New serotonin findings could help treat depression, anxiety
Cornell Chronicle Reports: Quick Summary New research on serotonin could ultimately lead to new therapeutics for anxiety and depression. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that mediates behaviors such as feeding, sleep, mood and cognition. Drugs that alter serotonin levels are the main weapon for treating psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders. Key Points Researchers thought that serotonin was made by one specific molecular pathway and then quickly degraded. Research discovered a second, parallel biosynthetic pathway that accounts for about half of the total serotonin production.