Which is the following neurotransmitters is deficient in depression?

Chitranjjan National Cancer Institute Kolkata - 2021

Mental Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: Chitranjjan National Cancer Institute Kolkata - 2021

Explanation

Serotonin is also known by its chemical name, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). They are the exact same neurotransmitter.
The monoamine hypothesis is a widely accepted theory that suggests depression is caused by a deficiency of monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain.
Serotonin (5-HT) is the monoamine neurotransmitter most commonly associated with the pathophysiology of depression.
Since 'Serotonin' and '5 HT' are synonymous, and both are deficient in depression, the option that encompasses both is the most complete and correct answer.

Option A: This option is incomplete. While a serotonin deficiency is correct, the option 'Only Serotonin' is less accurate than the option that also includes its chemical name '5 HT', which is listed as a separate option. In multiple-choice questions, when two options are synonymous, and a third option combines them, the combined option is the best choice.
Option B: This option is also incomplete for the same reason as option A. '5 HT' is the chemical name for serotonin. It is a correct statement on its own, but not the best answer choice available.
Option C: While some research indicates that reductions in Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) can be found in depression, it is not considered the primary neurotransmitter deficiency. The link between serotonin deficiency and depression is much more established and central to the leading theories and treatments.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The concept tested is the neurobiological basis of depression, specifically focusing on the role of neurotransmitter deficiencies as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the role of serotonin deficiency is fundamental for nurses administering psychotropic medications, particularly SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline) and SNRIs (e.g., venlafaxine, duloxetine), which are first-line treatments for depression.
Nurses must educate patients that these medications take several weeks to become fully effective because they work by gradually altering brain chemistry and receptor sensitivity.
A critical nursing responsibility is monitoring for Serotonin Syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition caused by excessive serotonergic activity. Key signs include agitation, confusion, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, dilated pupils, muscle rigidity, and fever.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question, which asks to identify the neurotransmitter deficient in depression.
Next, evaluate the options. You should recognize that 'Serotonin' and '5 HT' (5-hydroxytryptamine) are two names for the same neurotransmitter.
This is a key insight. When two options in a multiple-choice question are synonymous (A and B in this case), they are either both wrong, or there is an option that correctly combines them.
Examine option D, 'Both option a & b'. Since A and B are correct and refer to the same thing, this option is the most comprehensive choice.
Finally, evaluate option C, 'GABA'. Recall or deduce that while GABA is involved in brain function, serotonin is the neurotransmitter most famously and primarily linked to depression (the monoamine hypothesis).
Conclude that option D is the best and most complete answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The concept tested is the neurobiological basis of depression, specifically focusing on the role of neurotransmitter deficiencies.
Stem keywords: neurotransmitters, deficient, depression
Lead-in keywords: Which
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) pp. 1268-1270, 1269-1271