Could Low Serotonin Levels Drive Alzheimer’s Disease?

Research into Alzheimer’s Disease remains a hot topic for medical investigators. New research has found serotonin levels play a part in who is more or less likely to be diagnosed with a cognitive disorder such as Alzheimer’s.

Previous studies thought serotonin was just a side effect of Alzheimer’s. But it may actually be involved in the pathology that results in developing the disorder in the first place. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is involved in a number of important bodily and mental functions. Some of these include sleep and sexual impulses, in overall moderation of mood, and in managing appetite.

Research has revealed that the beta amyloid plaques doctors think is heavily involved in Alzheimer’s may also be affecting serotonin production. The latest studies used positron emission tomography to look at the brains of study participants. The patients were divided into two groups; those with some level of cognitive decline, and those who were considered cognitively healthy. In the study, those with mild cognitive impairment were found to have a little more than two thirds of the serotonin levels of their healthy counterparts. Further, they performed worse on verbal memory and other mental tests. The control groups, those with normal serotonin levels, performed without issue. Investigation remains ongoing, but it’s one more step toward a proper treatment, even a cure, of Alzheimer’s.