Study finds first direct evidence connecting depression with low serotonin – study co-author Dr David Erritzoe provides novel insights

2022 was a decidedly volatile year in the field of psychiatry. In July, a study led by Dr Joanna Moncrieff found that there was no convincing evidence that depression is connected with low serotonin, let alone caused by it. In November, while the psychiatric profession and, perhaps more significantly, the millions of people taking antidepressants were still reeling from Moncrieff’s findings, a study co-authored by Dr David Erritzoe was published which provided the first direct evidence that serotonin release is blunted in the brains of people with depression. BizNews spoke to Erritzoe who explained the findings of the brain imaging study which is sparking debate within psychiatry about the so-called serotonin hypothesis of depression and challenging the findings of Moncrieff’s controversial study. Erritzoe, who is the Clinical Director in Centre for Psychedelic Research and Clinical Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry at Imperial College London, also provided fascinating insight into Imperial’s novel studies investigating the brain mechanisms and therapeutic potential of MDMA, ketamine and classic psychedelics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices