Neuropharmacology and Neurochemistry

Neurochemistry of Psychiatric and Mood Disorders

The neurochemistry of psychiatric and mood disorders examines the alterations in brain chemistry that lead to conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. This field focuses on how imbalances in neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and glutamate, disrupt emotional regulation, motivation, and cognition. The classical monoamine hypothesis continues to serve as a foundation, but recent research expands the understanding of psychiatric disorders by integrating factors such as neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and the gut-brain axis. Advances in neurochemical profiling and imaging technologies allow scientists to visualize neurotransmitter fluctuations and assess the biochemical effects of therapeutic drugs. Pharmacological interventions such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers work by modulating these neurochemical systems to restore balance and enhance mental well-being. However, challenges such as treatment resistance, side effects, and variability in individual responses highlight the need for personalized pharmacotherapy based on neurochemical biomarkers. This area of research bridges neuroscience and clinical pharmacology, aiming to create more targeted, effective, and safer therapies that improve mental health outcomes and contribute to understanding the biochemical roots of human emotion and behavior.