What neurotransmitter is linked with impulsivity and depression?

The neurotransmitter associated with impulsivity and depression is serotonin. Serotonin plays a crucial role in regulating mood, anxiety, and emotional responses. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to mood disorders such as depression, as well as impulsivity, which can manifest as difficulty in controlling urges or behaviors.

Research indicates that serotonin influences various functions related to emotion regulation, including the inhibition of impulsive responses. This means that when serotonin levels are imbalanced or deficient, individuals may exhibit increased impulsivity and a greater vulnerability to depressive symptoms.

While norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and glutamate are important neurotransmitters involved in various neurological and psychological functions, they do not have the same direct established correlation with impulsivity and depression as serotonin does. Norepinephrine is often more associated with attention and arousal, acetylcholine is mainly involved in learning and memory, and glutamate serves as the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. These distinctions highlight the unique role serotonin plays in the context of impulsivity and depression.