Sample Media Analysis #2 (15 marks)
Information adapted from:
‘If Serotonin Doesn't Cause Depression, Then What Does?’
Austin Perlmutter. Psychology Today. July 22, 2022
For the last half-century, the dominant explanation for depression has centered on serotonin: low levels of brain
serotonin led to symptoms of depression. But in the last several decades, a number of researchers have
challenged the idea.
Recently, a paper concluded that “the main areas of serotonin research provide no support for the hypothesis
that depression is caused by lowered serotonin activity or concentrations.”
So, if serotonin isn’t driving depression, what does explain the brain state of the hundreds of millions of people
living with it? While there are many potential explanations, here are four major systems that may prove more
important to the brains of people with depression.
1. Brain Rewiring (Neuroplasticity)
In depression, there may be issues with the quality, number, and type of connections our neurons make, and
this may help explain depression symptoms. Importantly, research is showing that we may be able to positively
affect neuroplasticity through lifestyle factors like exercise, learning new things, and, potentially, certain dietary
modifications.
2. Inflammation
When chronic inflammation is present in the brain, it appears to influence a number of pathways involved in
depression. It may impair the healthy function of neurons by physically damaging them, blocking healthy
neuroplasticity, and leading to the generation of toxic molecules. Inflammation appears to be sensitive to the
quality of our diet, sleep, exercise, stress-lowering interventions, and potentially even nature exposure.
3. The Gut-Brain Connection
A wide range of research now suggests that the gut and the brain are in constant communication. Researchers
have proposed that the state of our gut health (e.g., the leakiness of our gut lining, the immune cells in the gut,
and the diversity of the microbes that live in our gut) plays a major role in our mental health and may
significantly influence depression symptomatology. It’s thought that these gut bacteria may influence brain
function through their effects on the vagus nerve (which runs from the gut to the brain), their impact on the
immune system, and through tiny molecules they create which may reach the brain by way of the bloodstream.
4. Endocrine (Hormonal) Changes
Dysregulation of the body’s stress system is thought to significantly increase the risk for depression. Issues with
stress system balance may contribute to depression by negatively impacting the hippocampus, increasing
inflammation, damaging neuroplasticity and even killing off neurons. A number of strategies have been shown
to be successful in regulating stress system function ranging from daily meditation to regular exercise to time in
nature.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-modern-brain/202207/if-serotonin-doesnt-cause-depression-then-what-does?
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1. Justify whether this article is providing primary or secondary data and outline one limitation of using this
type of data in research. 2 marks
1m: Secondary data because it involves research conducted by another person for another purpose.
1m: Limitation: Sometimes it is difficult to determine the validity of someone’s research.
2. With reference to two processes in synaptic plasticity, explain why the term ‘brain rewiring’ was used in
this article when discussing synaptic plasticity. 3 marks
1m: Synaptic plasticity involves the brain’s neural pathways changing in response to experience or being
‘rewired’. Two key processes of synaptic plasticity include:
1m: Long-term potentiation, which is the relatively long-lasting strengthening of synaptic connections
resulting from repeated activation of the same neural pathways.
1m: Long-term depression, which involves a relatively long-lasting weakening of synaptic connections due to
repeatedly lower levels of activity in the same neural pathways.
3. The article states that diet and sleep can influence levels of inflammation in the body.
A. Explain what type of coping strategy a person would be using if they decided to improve their diet and
exercise more to reduce the effects of chronic inflammation. 2 marks
1m: Deciding to improve diet and exercise habits to reduce inflammation would be considered an approach
coping strategy.
1m: This is because it involves efforts to confront the stressor of inflammation directly with strategies known
to help.
B. Discuss why the use of these strategies would be considered to be a conscious response. 1 mark
1m: Making efforts to improve diet and exercise regularly are conscious responses as they require awareness
and are controlled by the brain.
4. This article discusses the effect that stress has on the endocrine system.
With reference to the General Adaptation Syndrome, explain how hormonal changes can contribute to
poor mental wellbeing. 5 marks
1m: Stress hormones including adrenaline and cortisol are released during the alarm reaction stage
(countershock) of the GAS model when a stressor is encountered.
1m: During prolonged stress, cortisol continues to be released during the resistance stage of GAS to provide
energy to deal with the prolonged stress.
1m: However, over time, prolonged cortisol release weakens the immune system.
1m: When chronic stress is experienced, eventually the body cannot sustain these processes any longer,
resources are now depleted, and a person enters the exhaustion stage.
1m: The person is now vulnerable to more serious illnesses, such as depression and anxiety.
5. With reference to the physiological pathways involved, explain the gut-brain axis. 2 marks
1m: The gut-brain axis refers to the bidirectional connection between the gut and the brain, which involves
the CNS, the enteric nervous system and the gut microbiota.
1m: The vagus nerve allows the bi-directional communication to occur, via neurons and neurotransmitters.
