2-Drugs for Depression Flashcards
(50 cards)
what are the numbers needed to treat
vary from 2-25
which type of depression sees the best results with antidepressants
Major depressive disorder
what are the monoamine neurotransmitters
serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline
what is so special about the shape of the monoamines
amine group connected to a ring structure via two carbons
what is the monoamine theory of depression
that it is related to a deficiency in the amount of cortical and limbic serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamind
what is the role of the limbic system
emotion and please
what is the role of the cortex
higher cognitive functioning
what caused the monoamine theory to arise
drugs that depleted monoamines was associated to depression in some patients
what happens when a depressed patient who is responding to antidepressants that boosts serotonin levels is given a diet without tryptophan
and why
they relapse because tryptophan is a precursor of serotonin
what happens when a patient responding to a drug that boosts noradrenaline levels if given a noradrenaline synthesis inhibitor
relapse
cant make noradrenaline so then they can be boosted
which antidepressants boost the monoamine system
all currently available antidepressants
what is the neurotrophic factor theory
that a lack of nerve growth factors are responsible for depression
what are neurotrophic factors
nerve growth factors
what is BDNF
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor
a growth factor protein that is involved in regulation of neural plasticity and neurogenesis
what happens to BDNF levels when you are depressed and what does this cause
levels lower causes a decrease in dendritic connectivity and decreased neurogenesis
how do antidepressants raise BDNF levels
it was not a planned effect, it was a byproduct of the monoamine targets
what does CREB do
a protein that regulates transcription of certain genes by binding to DNA
What is the role of CREB in depression
it may mediate BDNF but we don’t really know if it is affected by antidepressants
what does cortisol do to BDNF levels
lowers BDNF levels
what has the biggest effect in a treated state on CREB
BDNF and Monoamines (causes more BDNF release)
glutamate does other things too
what volume of the brain is most important in neurogenesis
hippocampus
where is decreased levels most found
cerebrospinal fluid
what does electroconvulsive therapy do
increases BDNF and increases neurogenesis in the hippocampus
what happens when you inhibit SERT or NET
serotonin and adrenaline accumulate in the synapse
