When someone starts out on antidepressants, their neurotransmitter [1] levels return to normal almost immediately. However, patients usually only begin to see i

When someone starts out on antidepressants, their neurotransmitter [1] levels return to normal almost immediately. However, patients usually only begin to see improvements 2 - 4 weeks later. This wouldn't be the case if depression was simply due to lowered neurotransmitter levels. However, all is not lost. A new theory suggests that patients have a lowered rate of neurogenesis (creation of new brain cells) and that serotonin is crucial in kick starting the process. [1] Patients usually have lowered levels of Serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.