The relationship between whole-blood serotonin and subjective mood in apparently healthy postmenopausal women

The aim of this research has been to determine the degree to which biochemical indices of mood reflect subjective mood. Potential relationships between whole-blood (WB) serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) levels as determined by the positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS) have been explored in apparently healthy postmenopausal women (n = 39). Partial correlations indicated that WB 5-HT was positively associated with positive affect (p = 0.03). No association was apparent for negative affect. These findings indicate that WB 5-HT and positive affect are related in postmenopausal women.