1. Health

What Is Serotonin?

From , former About.com Guide

Updated December 27, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition:

Serotonin is a naturally occurring chemical in the brain (a neurotransmitter) that is responsible, in part, for regulating brain functions such as mood, appetite, sleep, and memory.

Problems with serotonin have been linked to mood disorders such as depression and to borderline personality disorder(BPD). Antidepressant medications that alter the availability of serotonin in the brain have been used to treat these conditions.

Common Misspellings: seretonin
  1. About.com
  2. Health
  3. Borderline Personality
  4. Glossary
  5. What is Serotonin - Definition of Serotonin

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.

We comply with the HONcode standard
for trustworthy health
information: verify here.