What mood disorder is characterized by low levels of norepinephrine and serotonin in the CNS?

The mood disorder characterized by low levels of norepinephrine and serotonin in the central nervous system is depression. This condition is often linked to a decrease in the activity of neurotransmitters, particularly norepinephrine and serotonin, which play crucial roles in regulating mood, emotion, and overall mental well-being.

In depression, the underactivity of these neurotransmitters can lead to symptoms such as persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Treatments for depression frequently target these neurotransmitter systems, employing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs), both of which aim to restore balance to these chemical messengers in the brain.

Other mood disorders, such as anxiety or psychosis, may involve different mechanisms and neurotransmitter systems, but the hallmark of depression specifically aligns with deficits in norepinephrine and serotonin.