Behavior and Mental Health Flashcards
(21 cards)
Distinguish between mental illness and intellectual disabilities?
Intellectual disabilities has to do with a persons ability to think and reason.
Mental illness is an emotional disturbance.
Mental Stability vs. Mental Ability
- 1 in 10 will be hospitalized for mental health disorders
- About 1/2 of hospital beds are filled with mentally ill
- More mental illnesses than intellectual disabilities
Approximately 1 in ____ people will be hospitalized for mental illness.
10
Approximately ____% of hospital beds are occupied by the mentally ill.
50%
Be able to answer questions/discuss the types, symptoms, and genetics of mental and behavioral disorders mentioned in class (at the level discussed in the lecture) including narcolepsy.
Narcolepsy is a sleeping disorder.
Suddenly fall into short, but deep sleep.
- Usually polygenic in humans and often requires environmental trigger
- 10 fold increase in car accidents
Be able to answer questions/discuss the types, symptoms, and genetics of mental and behavioral disorders mentioned in class (at the level discussed in the lecture) including cataplexy.
Cataplexy is a sleeping disorder.
Short sudden episodes of muscle weakness, jaws sag, knees buckle and person falls down asleep during time of laughter or excitement.
- Mutation in gene for receptor on brain cell surface in Dobermans.
Be able to answer questions/discuss the types, symptoms, and genetics of mental and behavioral disorders mentioned in class (at the level discussed in the lecture) including epilepsy.
Epilepsy
- 12 genes known to contribute to risk of epilepsy (so far)
- MZ:DZ = 59:19 indicating that both genetic and environmental factors are important
- Some cases may be primarily due to environment
(viruses and high fevers during infancy have been implicated in some cases of epilepsy)
Be able to answer questions/discuss the types, symptoms, and genetics of mental and behavioral disorders mentioned in class (at the level discussed in the lecture) including addiction.
Addiction
- Compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit forming substance
- Types: Alcohol, tobacco, drugs, food (eating disorders)
- All addictions occur in the same part of the brain so an addiction for one substance may have a similar basis physiologically to addiction for other substances (genes for the production of Dopamine, Serotonin, Norepinephrine; Genes for the breakdown of…; Genes for receptors for…)
Be able to answer questions/discuss the types, symptoms, and genetics of mental and behavioral disorders mentioned in class (at the level discussed in the lecture) including alcoholism.
Alcoholism
- Important role of genetics, but not simple inheritance pattern
- Children of alcoholics are 4x as likely than general population to become alcoholics
- 2 categories of genes:
1. What happens to alcohol when consumed (how good are we at detoxifying it)
2. Genes related to addiction/craving the feeling of being under the influence - Physically causes degeneration of brain and nerve cells
- Alcoholics often placed in hospitals for mentally ill
Be able to answer questions/discuss the types, symptoms, and genetics of mental and behavioral disorders mentioned in class (at the level discussed in the lecture) including bi-polar disorder.
Bi-polar disorder
- Formerly manic depression
- More than 1 type: X-linked dominant, Autosomal genetic control, MZ:DZ = 77:19
- 40% of first degree relatives (parents, sibs, children) also affected
- Rapid behavior changes: Alternating spells of violent behavior and depression, sometimes introverted – sometimes outbursts, listless to reckless behavior
- Mood stabilizing medication
Be able to answer questions/discuss the types, symptoms, and genetics of mental and behavioral disorders mentioned in class (at the level discussed in the lecture) including schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia
- Means “Divided Mind”, but is altered perception of reality and loss of contact with reality
- Characteristics:
Difficulty organizing thoughts and speech
Hallucinations and delusions
Lack of emotional expression
Social isolation
Intellectual deterioration
Hearing voices
- Polygenic inheritance (about 50% genetic/50% environmental; Risk is 10% if have affected parent or sibling vs. risk in general population is only about 1 %.
- Estimated to account for half of mental disorders
- Onset usually in early adulthood (18-33)
Be able to answer questions/discuss the types, symptoms, and genetics of mental and behavioral disorders mentioned in class (at the level discussed in the lecture) including eating disorders.
Eating Disorders
- Types: Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating
- Levels of serotonin related to eating disorders:
Low serotonin leads to depression (Binge eating increases serotonin level and leads to feeling of well being)
High serotonin leads to feelings of anxiety (Starving self lowers serotonin to give a calming effect)
- Genetic influences:
People with eating disorders are 2X as likely to have variations in gene for serotonin reception
Genes on chromosomes 1 and 14 are correlated with increased risk of developing eating disorders
Be able to answer questions/discuss the types, symptoms, and genetics of mental and behavioral disorders mentioned in class (at the level discussed in the lecture) including autism.
Autism
Impaired communication/Difficulty in relationships
- Social problems
- Rigid/receptive behavior
- Do not cope well with change
- 10-12 per 10,000 people
- Frequency has QUADRUPLED in last 15 years
- Genetic and physiological basis not well understood
- Twin studies show high heritability
- Asperger Syndrome: unclear genetic/environmental basis (mild, doesn’t impair speech, don’t cope well with change/new situations
- Rett Syndrome: X-Linked Dominant
- Fragile X Syndrome
Be able to answer questions/discuss the types, symptoms, and genetics of mental and behavioral disorders mentioned in class (at the level discussed in the lecture) including Huntington’s Disease.
Huntington’s Disease
- Autosomal Dominant gene
- Onset usually 40-45 years old
- 30,000 cases in the US
- Progressive neurological degeneration and ultimate death
- May last 15 yrs or so
- Repeated CAG sequence within the gene (More repeats correlated with earlier onset and severity; Having more than 33 copies of the sequence causes disorder)
- DNA testing is available
Be able to answer questions/discuss the types, symptoms, and genetics of mental and behavioral disorders mentioned in class (at the level discussed in the lecture) including Parkinson Disease.
Parkinson Disease
- Clear mind, but loss of control over body muscles (sometimes shaky and sometimes rigid)
- Michael J. Fox (Diagnosed 1991, secret until 1999)
- Cannot properly metabolize dopamine
- Medicine: L-dopa to help relieve symptoms
- Genetic basis varies (Some types seem simply inherited: autosomal recessive and X-linked recessive; Other forms may be multifactorial and influenced by environment)
Be able to answer questions/discuss the types, symptoms, and genetics of mental and behavioral disorders mentioned in class (at the level discussed in the lecture) including Alzheimer Disease.
Alzheimer Disease
- Named for Alois Alzheimer, who first diagnosed it in 1906
- First patient: 51 year old woman – problems with memory, speaking, and comprehending others
- Brain autopsy showed:
Shrinkage of the cortex
Abundance of dead brain cells
Widespread fatty deposits in the small blood vessels
- Stages:
1. No impairment (normal function)
2. Very mild cognitive decline - memory lapses, forgetting words or location of items
3. Mild cognitive decline - problems with memory or concentration that can be measured.
4. Moderate cognitive decline - decreased knowledge of recent events and personal history
5. Moderate severe decline - major gaps in memory, needs help choosing clothing, confusion
6. Severe cognitive decline - memory gets worse, personality changes, becomes lost, doesn’t remember own name
7. Very severe cognitive decline - lose ability to control movement, speak, and respond to environment, swallowing and reflexes impaired
What is the difference between a nerve cell and a neuroglia cell? Which does a typical person have more of? Which is the type of cell that can develop into brain tumors?
- Neuroglia cells guide development and movements of neurons in embryo and produce nerve growth factors throughout life- they can divide.
- Nerve cells (neurons) communicate across synapses with chemicals called neurotransmitters.
- 100 billion nerve cells and at least a trillion neuroglia cells.
- Neuroglia cells can develop into brain tumors
What is the purpose of a neuroglia cell?
To guide development and movements of neurons in embryo and produce nerve growth factors throughout life.
Nerve cells communicate with each other across spaces called __________.
synapses
List the 4 levels of genetic control involved in communication between 2 nerve cells.
Many genes that affect behavior affect neurotransmission:
- Genes make enzymes that produce neurotransmitters
- Transporter proteins allow neurotransmitters to get into cells (mutation in transporter for serotonin implicated in a form of autism)
- Myelin sheath on neuron insulates and speeds up transmission (at least 3 different genes involved in myelin production are implicated in schizophrenia)
Gene action sites:
- Production of myelin sheath
- Synthesis of neurotransmitter
- Transporter protein in sending cell
- Receptor protein in receiving cell
Define neurotransmission.
Sending a signal across a synapse from 1 neuron to another using a neurotransmitter molecule.
Describe the roles of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine at the levels discussed in class.
- Norepinephrine: relates to alertness and energy
- Serotonin: relates to obsessions and compulsions
- Dopamine: relates to attention, motivation, pleasure, reward
