Monitoring Mental Health

Stress hormones and Neurotransmitters play a crucial role in the progression and management of various diseases, necessitating precise diagnostic tests. In cancer, elevated cortisol and altered catecholamine levels are linked to tumor progression and immune suppression. In diabetes, stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine exacerbate insulin resistance and glucose dysregulation. For infertility, hormonal imbalances (e.g., prolactin, cortisol) can affect ovulation and sperm quality. In stress urinary incontinence, cortisol dysregulation impacts pelvic floor muscle function, while neurotransmitter imbalance influences bladder control. Advanced tests, such as LC-MS/MS, enable precise profiling of these biomarkers, improving diagnosis, personalized treatment, and monitoring disease progression effectively.??

Here's a comprehensive comparison of normal vs. abnormal levels of neurotransmitters and stress hormones in key mental health conditions.

1. Depression

• Neurotransmitters:Normal levels:Serotonin: Baseline levels depend on brain regions; plasma levels ~101-283 ng/mL.Dopamine: 0-30 pg/mL in plasma.Norepinephrine: 70-750 pg/mL in plasma.Abnormal levels:↓ Serotonin: Consistently low serotonin levels in depression (Maron et al., 2019). Impaired synthesis and receptor sensitivity.↓ Dopamine: Reduced dopaminergic activity linked to anhedonia (Treadway et al., 2012).↓ Norepinephrine: Hypoactivity, contributing to lethargy and fatigue (Moret & Briley, 2011).
• Stress hormones:Normal cortisol: 3-25 μg/dL (diurnal rhythm-dependent).Abnormal cortisol:↑ Hypercortisolemia common in major depressive disorder (MDD) due to HPA axis dysregulation (Pariante & Lightman, 2008).Loss of diurnal variation.

2. Anxiety and Spectrum Disorders

• Neurotransmitters:Normal levels:GABA: ~300-900 ng/mL (serum/plasma).Glutamate: ~0.4-4.5 μmol/L (plasma).Abnormal levels:↓ GABA: Decreased inhibitory activity, common in generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder (Goldstein et al., 2010).↑ Glutamate: Overactivity in areas like the amygdala, contributing to hyperarousal (Riaza Bermudo-Soriano et al., 2012).
• Stress hormones:↑ Cortisol: Elevated during acute episodes, particularly in PTSD and panic disorder (Yehuda et al., 2015).↑ Norepinephrine: Hyperactivity drives the fight-or-flight response (Southwick et al., 1999).

3. Psychosis and Schizophrenia

• Neurotransmitters:Normal levels: Dopamine ~0-30 pg/mL (plasma); glutamate and GABA as above.Abnormal levels:↑ Dopamine: Overactivation in mesolimbic pathways correlates with positive symptoms like hallucinations (Howes & Kapur, 2009).↓ Glutamate: Hypoactivity at NMDA receptors linked to negative and cognitive symptoms (Coyle, 2012).↓ GABA: Reduced inhibitory control exacerbates cortical dysfunction (Lewis et al., 2005).
• Stress hormones:↑ Cortisol: Chronic elevation; correlates with symptom severity and stress sensitivity (Walker et al., 2008).

4. Mood Disorders (e.g., Bipolar Disorder)

• Neurotransmitters:Normal levels: Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine as above.Abnormal levels:↑ Dopamine: Elevated during manic episodes, leading to heightened energy and impulsivity (Ashok et al., 2017).↓ Serotonin: Associated with depressive episodes (Young et al., 1994).Fluctuating Norepinephrine: Increased during mania, decreased in depression.
• Stress hormones:↑ Cortisol: Often elevated during manic and depressive states due to HPA axis overdrive (Belvederi Murri et al., 2016).

5. Alcohol Use Disorders

• Neurotransmitters:Normal levels: Dopamine, GABA, and glutamate as above.Abnormal levels:↓ GABA: Chronic alcohol use impairs GABAergic inhibition, leading to withdrawal symptoms (M?hler, 2012).↑ Glutamate: Hyperactivity during withdrawal; excitotoxicity risk (Tsai & Coyle, 1998).Dysregulated Dopamine: Chronic use depletes dopamine, contributing to anhedonia and relapse (Volkow et al., 2004).
• Stress hormones:↑ Cortisol: Chronic alcohol consumption elevates cortisol, exacerbating stress reactivity (Wand & Dobs, 1991).

Literature Support:

1. Pariante & Lightman (2008): "The HPA axis in major depression: Classical theories and new developments." Trends in Neurosciences.
2. Treadway et al. (2012): "Anhedonia in depression: Conceptual and neural underpinnings." Psychological Medicine.
3. Goldstein et al. (2010): "The role of GABA in anxiety disorders." International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice.
4. Howes & Kapur (2009): "The dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia." Schizophrenia Bulletin.
5. Belvederi Murri et al. (2016): "The interplay between cortisol and depression in bipolar disorder." Journal of Affective Disorders.
6. Volkow et al. (2004): "Dopamine dysregulation in addiction." American Journal of Psychiatry.

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