Little evidence that chemical imbalance causes depression, UCL scientists find

The antidepressant drug Prozac. ‘There is no convincing evidence that depression is caused by serotonin abnormalities,’ the researchers said. Photograph: Christian Hopewell/Alamy

Scientists have called into question the widespread use of antidepressants after a major review found “no clear evidence” that low serotonin levels are responsible for depression.

Prescriptions for antidepressants have risen dramatically since the 1990s, with one in six adults and 2% of teenagers in England now being prescribed them. Millions more people around the world regularly use antidepressants.