Biopsychology of Psychiatric Disorders

Question 1

For schizophrenia diagnosis: 2 of the following for atleast 6 months

Answer 1

delusions: unjustifiable beliefs
-hallucinations
-disorganized speech
-disorganized behaviour
-weak or absent signs of emotions, speech, or socialization.
Prevalence: approx. 1.3%

Question 2

type I schizophrenia

Answer 2

Positive symptoms (behavioural excesses, such as hallucinations and agitated movements);
Possibly due to a dopaminergic dysfunction associated with acute onset, good prognosis, and a favourable response to neuroleptics

Question 3

type II schizophrenia

Answer 3

Negative symptoms (behavioural deficits, such as reduction in motivation, catatonia) and associated with chronic (stabilized) affliction, poor prognosis, poor response to neuroleptics, cognitive impairments, enlarged ventricles, and cortical atrophy, particularly in the frontal cortex

Question 4

cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia

Answer 4

Slow processing speed
Impaired long-term memory
Difficulty perceiving others’ emotions from their facial expressions and body language
Errors in perceiving others’ intentions and beliefs.
Abnormalities in the Wernickes area, auditory areas, subcortical areas, hippocampus, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Question 5

the neurodevelopmental hypothesis

Answer 5

Abnormalities occurred in prenatal or neonatal nervous system development can produce abnormalities in the developing brain that predispose to schizophrenia.

Question 6

the two-hit hypothesis

Answer 6

A combination of a genetic predisposition and environment in prenatal/neonatal development, later in life, or both

Question 7

Dopamine hypothesis

Answer 7

Schizophrenia results from excess activity at dopamine synapses in certain areas of the brain.
Substance-induced psychotic disorder
Research indicates increased activity, specifically at the D2 receptor

Question 8

second generation (atypical) antipsychotics

Answer 8

Clozapine, Amisulpride, Risperidone, Olanzapine
Weakly block D2 receptors so there are fewer Parkinson-like effects
But its atypical because it also blocks D1, D4, and serotonin 5-HT2 receptors
-5-HT is serotonin
Improves motivation and reduces agitation, but may result in weight gain

Question 9

glutamate hypothesis

Answer 9

Deficient activity at glutamate synapses, especially in the prefrontal cortex
Dopamine inhibits glutamate release
Or, glutamate stimulates neurons that inhibit dopamine release
Increased dopamine can produce the same effects as decreased glutamate

Question 10

ketamine

Answer 10

Has hallucinogenic properties and is used in some clinical settings (mostly by vets) as a dissociative anesthetic (i.e., you feel separate from the body, and it reduces pain)
The difference between the “correct” dose and a potentially lethal overdose is on the order of milligrams.
Date rape drug

Question 11

monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors

Answer 11

Block the enzyme MAO from degrading neurotransmitters such as dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin.
Thus, these drugs increase amounts of dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin for release

Question 12

tricyclic antidepressants

Answer 12

First-generation antidepressants with a chemical structure characterized by three rings that block reuptake transporter proteins
Block transporter proteins that reabsorb serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine into the presynaptic neuron after release; therefore, more norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin are available.
E.g., Amitriptyline

Question 13

second-generation antidepressants

Answer 13

Action is similar to first-generation antidepressants but is more selective in its action on the serotonin reuptake transporter proteins
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Block the reuptake of serotonin by the presynaptic terminal
E.g. Prozac (fluoxetine)- prescribed for depression

Question 14

SNRIs

Answer 14

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
Block reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine
E.g., desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), levomilnaciprin (Fetzima), venlafaxine (Effexor XR),

Question 15

Atypical antidepressants

Answer 15

Miscellaneous group of drugs with antidepressant effects and milder side effects
E.g., bupropion (Wellbutrin)
Inhibits the reuptake of dopamine and, to some extent, norepinephrine, but not serotonin

Question 16

antidepressants

Answer 16

Most people with depression have normal levels of neurotransmitters
Decreasing serotonin in control groups does not provoke depression
Drugs affect neurotransmitters in synapses quickly (minutes to hours)
Result improving mood often requires weeks

Question 17

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Answer 17

Cognitive-behavioural Therapy
It has been shown to be equally effective for all levels of depression
Causes increased metabolism in same brain areas as antidepressants
More likely to reduce relapse months or years later
Combination of antidepressant drugs and psychotherapy shows more rapid improvement

Question 18

bipolar disorder

Answer 18

Manic episodes interspersed with depressive episodes
Bipolar disorder I: characterized by full-blown episodes of mania
Bipolar II: characterized by much milder manic phases, called hypomania
Brains use of glucose increases during periods of mania