The Causal Link Between Low Serotonin and Dementia
By Chris Brown
The link between low serotonin and dementia is well-documented in the medical community. The low serotonin levels found in dementia patients were traditionally believed to be the result of dementia's impacts upon the brain. However, recent evidence has suggested that the connection may be more bidirectional than previously thought. Serotonin, a mood-stabilizing neurotransmitter known for inducing well-being, is vital for a range of secondary bodily functions, such as gut health and sleep. It's the impact of low serotonin upon the brain, though, that could make it a top predictor of future dementia. Studying low serotonin's effects might allow future doctors to diagnose dementia earlier and reduce its risk in patients.
Serotonin's Link to Dementia
In a 2017 study published by John Hopkins University, researchers used brain scans to study the link between serotonin levels and early dementia. Using learning and memory tests, they discovered that participants with lower levels of serotonin scored 37 percent lower on verbal memory skills and that, in general, people with mild cognitive impairment had 38 percent less serotonin levels than those in the control group. Early cognitive impairment can indicate more severe disfunction in the future, as serotonin degenerates for everyone as they age. Therefore, any subtle present problems caused by low serotonin levels would likely only increase with age. Not only could low serotonin be an indicator of dementia risk, but researchers suggest that it may be partially responsible for the disease. Dementia patients with Alzheimer's tend to have an accumulation of amyloid proteins in the brain, which disrupt normal neural communication. Serotonin transporters may play a role in the removal of these proteins and serotonin neurodegeneration reduces the active number of these transporters.
How to Increase Serotonin to Reduce Dementia Risk
While the John Hopkins University study researchers suggested early use of anti-depressant drugs, such as Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), to help curve dementia risk, there are lifestyle changes that can help boost serotonin for the less pharmaceutically-inclined. Eating foods rich in tryptophan alongside 25-30 grams of carbohydrates has been shown to send tryptophan past the blood-brain barrier where it is converted into serotonin. If your schedule doesn't allow a daily searching of tryptophan-rich foods, supplementation of tryptophan, St. John's wort, or 5-HTP can have similar results. 5-HTP in particular was shown as effectively as anti-depressants for some people according to one 2013 study. Additionally, exercise, light exposure (whether through direct sunlight or a light box), and massage therapy all yield higher levels of active serotonin.
Whether through lifestyle or medication, inducing higher serotonin levels will not only make you feel better in the short-term, but can help protect your long-term brain health.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Midland, Tex.