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Serotonin Dysregulation

Meaning

Serotonin dysregulation describes a pathological imbalance in the concentration, transport, receptor function, or metabolic turnover of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) within the central and peripheral nervous systems. This disruption can manifest as a clinical spectrum of symptoms, including mood disorders, anxiety, altered sleep patterns, and gastrointestinal disturbances, given serotonin’s widespread physiological roles. In hormonal health, dysregulation is often intricately linked to fluctuations in sex hormones and cortisol, which directly modulate the expression of serotonin receptors and the enzymes involved in its synthesis and degradation. Addressing this imbalance is a core strategy in neuroendocrine-psychological care.