Serotonin and Emotional Decision-Making

Abstract

Serotonin is one of the most important neurotransmitters involved in emotional regulation, which affect decision-making. In fact, specific genes regulate the transporter protein of serotonin, making people prone to show or not higher amygdala activation. Higher activation of specific components of the limbic system, such as amygdala, results in a higher susceptibility to make decision taking into account the environmental and emotional aspects and not only rational elaborations of the facts. It makes the response of decision-making more visceral or emotional in contrast to people with lower amygdala activation. Therefore, the importance of serotonin regulations impacts on daily and important decisions.