Depression has long been linked to serotonin, a key brain chemical. The prevailing idea holds that a deficiency or malfunction of serotonin drives depressive symptoms. Yet researchers in Russia offered a different perspective. Galina Idova, who heads the physiology department at Novosibirsk State University and leads a project at the Research Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, shared her findings with socialbites.ca.
Idova notes that many studies report reduced serotonin in depression. Her team observed the opposite in animal models: certain brain regions tied to dopamine and serotonin showed elevated serotonin content when depression was induced. Importantly, lowering depressive symptoms appeared to help restore immune system balance, suggesting a complex interaction between mood regulation and immune function. This challenges the simple view that serotonin deficiency is the sole driver of depressive states. Attribution: Galina Idova, Professor, Novosibirsk State University.
The scientist explains that the serotonin system can act as an immunosuppressant. Neuroinflammation, a feature often accompanying depression and immune disturbances, seems to push serotonin levels higher within the brain, which in turn dampens immune activity. Experiments where serotonin synthesis was blocked in mice demonstrated a reduction in immune suppression, supporting a link between serotonin dynamics and immune responses. This relationship indicates that mood disorders might involve multiple interacting systems rather than a single neurotransmitter deficit. Attribution: Galina Idova, Professor, Novosibirsk State University.
Looking ahead, the development of depression could be influenced by mechanisms that regulate the concentrations of various brain substances. Idova emphasizes that although progress has been made, the exact pathways are not yet fully mapped, and more research is needed to understand how these systems intertwine in humans. The aim is to map how shifts in neurotransmitters and immune signals influence mood and behavior, opening new avenues for therapy. Attribution: Galina Idova, Professor, Novosibirsk State University.
In ongoing plans, the group intends to undertake comprehensive studies to assess both therapeutic effects and immune status during rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation. This work will be conducted under the leadership of Academician Lyubomir Ivanovich Aftanas within the Department of Neuroscience, Behavior and Neurotechnology. The researchers hope to explore whether this noninvasive technique can ease depressive symptoms and support neural recovery in patients who also face neurodegenerative conditions. The goal is to determine practical treatment strategies that simultaneously address mood disorders and immune health. Attribution: Lyubomir Ivanovich Aftanas, Academician.
Earlier notes from scientists highlight a simple, drug-free approach to battling depression, underscoring the growing interest in nonpharmacological interventions that complement traditional therapies. This line of inquiry reflects a broader shift toward understanding how brain chemistry, immune function, and neural networks interact in mood regulation, with the potential to unlock safer and more effective options for patients in Canada and the United States. Attribution: Research collective associated with Novosibirsk institutions.