On 7 Feb 2010 at 14:00, Paul C Bernhardt wrote: > > I've generally found Begley a solid skeptical scientific writer, providing > high quality summaries of > scientific work. But, found this article not so satisfying. <snip>
> The most annoying point was when Begley said that the serotonin link to > depression is not established > (called it "built on a foundation of tissue paper"). She said it was based in > an old association from an > early anti-depressant drug and that there has not been any good scientific > support for there being reduced > serotonin levels or activity in persons who are depressed. It's a terrific article, and I fully agree with it, _especially_ the part about the serotonin link to depression not being established. Based on my past reading, going back at least as far as eminent neuroscientist Elliot Valenstein's (2002) book "Blaming the Brain: The Truth About Drugs and Mental Health", none of what Begley says is surprising (although she says it very well), and there is an extensive literature supporting her. For example, take a look at Lacasse and Leo's (2005) article "Serotonin and depression: a disconnect between the advertisements and the scientific literature" (PLoS Medicine, v 2, issue 12, e392 at http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pme d.0020392 or http://tinyurl.com/csznr5 They say: "To our knowledge, there is not a single peer-reviewed article that can be accurately cited to directly support claims of serotonin deficiency in any mental disorder, while there are many articles that present counterevidence". Yet as they point out, drug manufacturers make a point of advertising that depression is caused by serotonin deficit which can be treated with their pills. They also say: "There is a growing body of medical literature casting doubt on the serotonin hypothesis, and this body is not reflected in the consumer advertisements. In particular, many SSRI advertisements continue to claim the mechanisms of action of SSRIs is that of correcting a chemical imbalance...Yet as previously mentioned there is no such thing as a scientifically established correct "balance" of serotonin." It appears that the neurochemical deficit hypothesis of mental disorder treatable with magic bullet drugs which restore "balance" is just one more unstoppable myth of our times. Stephen ----------------------------------------------------------------- Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, Emeritus Bishop's University e-mail: [email protected] 2600 College St. Sherbrooke QC J1M 1Z7 Canada ----------------------------------------------------------------------- --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=410 or send a blank email to leave-410-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
