The Role of Monoamine System in Core Affects and Basic Emotions

Affective disorders are a leading cause of disability worldwide, and drugs targeting monoamine neuromodulators are considered to be the first choice of treatment for these diseases. Here, we further explore the relationship between the monoamine neuromodulators with the core affects or basic emotions and try to give a very simple model for basic emotions: three primary color model. In this model, we try to put the 3 monoamines together with the core affects or basic emotions in a plane, like the threeprimary color: DA-reward (joy), NE- stress (fear and anger), and serotonin- punishment (sad). This model can be helpful to better understand the dynamics of basic emotions, the etiology of affective disorders such as depression, and the actions of respective psychoactive drugs.

Abbreviations: Basic emotions; Monoamine; Core affect; Dopamine; Norepinephrine; Serotonin; Stress; Reward; Punishment