Open AccessMonoamine neurotransmitters and mood swings: a dynamical systems approach
Author(s) -
R. Loula,
Luiz Henrique Alves Monteiro
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
mathematical biosciences and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.451
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1551-0018
pISSN - 1547-1063
DOI - 10.3934/mbe.2022187
Subject(s) - monoamine neurotransmitter , dopamine , neurotransmitter , serotonin , norepinephrine , hopf bifurcation , neuroscience , mood , bifurcation , psychology , physics , psychiatry , medicine , receptor , central nervous system , nonlinear system , quantum mechanics
Serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine are monoamine neurotransmitters that modulate our mood state. Hence, imbalances in the levels of these neurotransmitters have been linked to the incidence of several psychiatric disorders. Here, a mathematical model written in terms of ordinary differential equations is proposed to represent the interaction of these three neurotransmitters. It is analytically and numerically shown that this model can experience a Hopf bifurcation. Thus, by varying a parameter value, the neurotransmitter levels can change from a steady state to an oscillatory behavior, which may be at least a partial explanation of the mood swings observed in depressed people.