Which neurotransmitter plays a role in bipolar disorder?

Bipolar affective disorder is a condition where emotions change, from excitement to inhibition in an erratic, alternating manner. A natural imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain plays an important role in bipolar disorder, as well as other psychiatric problems.

The brain uses certain chemicals to transmit signals between parts of it and the nervous system as a whole. These "messages" are called neurotransmitters, which are essential for all brain functions. With a messenger mission, these chemicals often come from one place and another to send messages. When one neuron completes the task, the other cell starts transmitting again.
In between two connected neurons there is a small space - called a synapse. In simple terms, a cell sends neurotransmitter messages across this gap. The next cell receives the signal by catching the messenger chemical while they are drifting through the gap. The capture of neurotransmitter chemicals helps the signal to be sent. In turn, the new neurons send new messages to the additionally connected neurons, and the process continues.

Nerve cells cannot communicate with each other without this chemical message. The brain will stop working immediately in case the "chemical messengers" disappear in some way. In allowing neurons to communicate with each other, neurotransmitters actually help the brain function. There are millions of individual synapses in the brain. The flow and activity of neurotransmitters occurring within those gaps is continuous and complex.

There are many different types of neurotransmitters in the brain, of which those suspected to be involved in bipolar disorder include dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, GABA (gamma-aminobutyrate), glutamate, and acetylcholine. Specifically:
Noradrenaline and serotonin are two neurotransmitters that have been linked to emotional and mental disorders, including depression or bipolar disorder. Dopamine is responsible for regulating nerve bundles in areas of the brain associated with pleasure and emotion when praised. If dopamine use in other brain regions is disrupted, reality can be distorted, leading to illogical patterns of thinking and behavior. GABA measured in patients with bipolar disorder have lower blood and cerebrospinal fluid levels than the brains of normal individuals. Researchers also believe that another class of neurotransmitters, neuropeptides (including endorphins, somatostatin, vasopressin, and oxytocin) play an important role in both normal human brains and those in patients with bipolar disorder. For example, the oxytocin activity of neurons in people with mood disorders is also higher.

Measurement of nerve conduction, as well as variations, locations and effects of this chemical is a large area of ​​research in the bipolar industry. Accordingly, the brain of a person with bipolar disorder will lose its natural balance of neurotransmitter chemicals. However, the role of this finding on brain activity in general remains poorly understood. Despite this, the presence, deficiency, or alteration of these "messaging" chemicals has been identified as a cause or effect of bipolar disorder. The importance of neurochemicals in the development of bipolar disease cannot be denied.

Neurotransmitters are not the only important “chemical messengers” in the body. The body also uses hormones as messengers. Produced in the endocrine system, hormones circulate from one organ to another through the bloodstream. The receptors interpret the hormonal signals and respond.
Hypothalamus The endocrine and nervous systems are linked by the hypothalamus. This is a centrally located "switching station" in the brain. The hypothalamus is a particularly complex brain region that controls many different bodily functions such as: blood pressure, appetite, immune response, body temperature, maternal instincts, as well as the way the body behaves. deal with circadian rhythms and time. Among them, coordination of circadian rhythms and phased body is especially important when it comes to bipolar disorder.
Thyroid gland The thyroid gland is an endocrine organ located in the neck that is responsible for the production of thyroid hormones. This has been a central part of many studies on mood disorders. Specifically, depression is often linked to low thyroid hormone levels, aka hypothyroidism. In contrast, a high mood is often associated with high thyroid hormone levels (hyperthyroidism). Treating hypothyroidism with thyroid hormone supplements or replacement can sometimes relieve depression. Similarly, reducing high thyroid hormone levels with lithium can reduce symptoms of mania. Because up to half of patients with rapid bipolar also develop hypothyroidism, it is more likely that the thyroid gland also induces or provokes bipolar disorder for some people.

Sex Hormones The reproductive system is another component of the endocrine system, which also causes mood swings if not regulated correctly. Reproductive hormones have been shown to affect mood, most prominently in women. Specifically, the source of this effect is thought to be the secretion of estrogen and testosterone by the ovaries. Although the role of sex hormones is certainly in influencing mood, the exact mechanism by which is still unknown. There is currently little information regarding their role in causing or maintaining bipolar symptoms.
Based on the connections between the nervous system and the endocrine system, experts suggest that endocrine dysfunction is a potential cause of bipolar disorder. While this may be widely known, it is still difficult to establish scientific evidence. In other words, it is difficult to determine whether endocrine dysfunction is the cause of bipolar disorder or influences its symptoms. As such, neurotransmitters that play a role in bipolar disorder include dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, GABA, and neuropeptide (oxytocin). The exact cause of bipolar affective disorder is unknown, but this neurochemical imbalance may be one of the factors that cause and trigger bipolar episodes. In addition, hormones, biological differences, genetics and environment are also issues that need to be studied when it comes to this disease.

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References: webmd.com, gracepointwellness.org