New research clarifies how neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine, are regulated – a finding that may help fine-tune therapies for depression.

Current drugs for depression target the regulatory process for neurotransmitters, and while effective in some cases, do not appear to work in other cases.

Recent findings suggest that synucleins, a family of small proteins in the brain, are key players in the management of neurotransmitters – specifically, alpha- and gamma-synuclein. Additionally, researchers have found elevated levels of gamma-synuclein in the brains of both depressed animals and humans.

In a study presented at the 39th annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center researchers observed increased depressive-like behavior in mice where gamma-synuclein acts alone to regulate neurotransmitters, confirming earlier studies by this group.

“These findings show the importance of, and clarify a functional role for, gamma synuclein in depression and may provide new therapeutic targets in treatment of this disease,” says Adam Oaks, a student researcher in the Laboratory of Molecular Neurochemistry at GUMC. “Understanding how current therapies work with the synucleins is important because the drugs don’t work for all patients, and some are associated with side effects including an increased risk of suicide.”

The study was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health. A provision patent application has been filed by Georgetown University related to the technology described in this paper, on which Anita Sidhu, one of the authors, is an inventor.

However, some symptoms of depression, such as sleep and appetite disturbances, significant concentration problems, and chronic fatigue, interfere with your ability to make the life changes necessary to eliminate the depression. In more serious depression, suicidal thoughts and urges, and preoccupation with death, may require medication in addition to psychotherapy. Antidepressant medication can help relieve those symptoms, and allow you to make needed life changes. The decision to take medication, in addition to participating in psychological treatment, should be discussed with your treating psychologist and your primary care physician.

Carlo Mueres is a talented depression therapist who have been working with depression for seven years. If you want more his help please check his depression and anxiety guide!

Given the negative side-effects of drug therapy, many people are turning to natural ways to cure panic attacks.

It s a common notion among people to approach pills even for slight symptoms of anxiety problem. Medicines can be a fastest way to get relief from anxiety, but they have their own share of negative side-effects. At times prolong use of medicines have side-effects that can be life threatening. Thankfully, there are treatment methods to treat anxiety naturally. Many people now opt for this natural treatment method than heavy dose of antidepressants.

Its easy to treat anxiety naturally. Also there are several methods available for this natural anxiety treatment method. You can adopt any method as per your convenience and the severity of your anxiety problem. Some of the most frequently natural treatment methods are discussed as follows.

Self Help Once you identify your real problem and accept it, then its easy to treat anxiety naturally. Often people shy away from discussing their real problem fearing social ostracism. Remember, even if you suffer from anxiety and stress attack, there is nothing to be ashamed about. There are millions like you who also suffer from this mental disorder. And the best thing is, unlike some other terminal disease, anxiety is completely curable. Only you need to accept your problem and determine to get rid of it. Share your problem with family members or close friends; they give you moral support to fight anxiety.

Natural Herbs One of the most effective methods to treat anxiety naturally is medicinal herbs. St John’s Wort, Kava Kava, Valerian, Gotu Kola, Inositol are some of the prominent plant sources which have potential anti-anxiety treatment properties. But by simply taking these herb extract supplement wont be enough to fight off anxiety, you need to include proper diet and regular exercise into your daily regimen.

Meditation Nothing heals your stress and provides you relief from anxiety like meditation. Meditation appeals to the deep mental level of the practitioners and brings mental peace and calmness. The process involves concentration of mind in one thing so as to support the mental and spiritual development.

Apart from the above discussed prominent methods, there are several other approaches to treat anxiety naturally. They are discussed in the following.

# A positive outlook often helps to overcome the negative emotions.

# Its very important to have adequate amount of sleep. A goodnights sleep often helps to ward off the day-to-day stresses.

# Try to change the daily routine once in a while. It makes you free from the monotony of daily life and the anxiety associated with it.

# If you suffer from work related stress too much, then change your daily work schedule for some time. It usually helps to get freed from anxiety related to work.

# Aromatherapy is also helpful for treatment of anxiety problem. The fragrances of essential oils stimulate our body and mind and provide relief from anxiety.

# Hypnotherapy has also proven to be effective for treatment of anxiety problem. Patients with troubling sleep pattern due to anxiety can also be treated with hypnosis. This therapy brings relaxation to the patients.

# Shiastu is a Japanese messaging technique to treat anxiety without medication. It involves flow of energy through mental, physical, spiritual and emotional level of the patient.

# Reiki, through its universal life force energy, energizes mind, soul and body. Thats why this ancient Japanese technique is used for treatment of anxiety.

With so many natural anxiety treatment methods available, it makes sense to adopt any of this treatment method. These natural treatments bring significant and long lasting effect to the anxiety problem.

Natural treatment for panic attack requires patient, time and effort; Many cures for panic attacks failed because of ignoriing long term result, the question is not how to treat panic attacks instantly, you should always look for long term full recovery!