Lecture 2: Mental disorders – Dr. Eunchai Kang Flashcards
(25 cards)
Definition of Mental Disorder
A mental disorder is characterized by a significant disturbance in cognition, emotional regulation, and behavior, reflecting dysfunction in processes underlying mental function.
Distress, Dysfunction, and Deviance
Mental disorders involve distress, dysfunction, and deviance from typical behavior, impacting cognitive and emotional processes.
Global Impact of Mental Health
Mental health issues contribute to disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, and poor quality of life, with a global cost projected to reach 6 trillion US dollars by 2030.
Genetic Factors in Mental Disorders
No single gene can predict mental disorders, but well-researched genetic variations may contribute to a person’s risk to a small extent.
Causes of Death and Heritability
Mental disorders have some level of heritability, and conditions like schizophrenia, contributing to death, show a correlation between genetic factors and environmental influences.
Schizophrenia Symptoms
Symptoms include positive (delusions, hallucinations), negative (blunting, alogia, anhedonia), cognitive (attention, working memory), disorganized (speech, behavior), and affective (depression, anxiety).
Dopamine Imbalance in Schizophrenia
Dopamine pathways (mesolimbic and mesocortical) are imbalanced in schizophrenia. Treatment involves D2 antagonists for positive symptoms and partial agonists like aripiprazole.
Role of Glutamate in Schizophrenia
Reduced NMDA receptors in schizophrenia lead to altered excitatory-inhibitory balance. Disruption in NMDA receptors on GABAergic interneurons contributes to hyperstimulation.
Neurodevelopmental Factors in Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia’s onset in late adolescence/early adulthood correlates with prefrontal cortex development. Reduced synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) indicates fewer synapses.
Environmental Factors in Schizophrenia
Prenatal exposure to viral infections, poor nutrition, and cannabis smoking during adolescence increase the risk of schizophrenia. Epidemiological and twin studies highlight environmental factors.
Genetic Factors and Twin Studies
Twin studies show a higher concordance rate in monozygotic twins compared to dizygotic twins, indicating a genetic component. Genome-wide associated studies identified 108 distinct loci.
Limitations of Current Treatments
Current treatments for schizophrenia have limitations and side effects, highlighting the need for a better understanding of pathophysiology and potential targets.
Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis
Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is implicated in cognitive and emotional functions. Alterations in this process are associated with conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders.
Brain Organoids in Mental Health Research
Brain organoids serve as a valuable tool for studying disease-specific phenotypes, understanding disease mechanisms, drug screening, toxicology, and personalized medicine in mental health research.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Cortical Development
Disruptions in embryonic cortical development are linked to neurodevelopmental disorders like schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. Mice models are used for their well-characterized cortical development similar to humans.
Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis Functions
Adult hippocampal neurogenesis involves the generation of new neurons in the hippocampus throughout life, contributing to cognitive function and emotional regulation.
Impact of Adult Neurogenesis on Mental Disorders
Alterations in adult hippocampal neurogenesis are associated with mental disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, and cognitive deficits, highlighting its relevance in mental health research.
Disruptions in Embryonic Cortical Development
Disruptions in embryonic cortical development are linked to neurodevelopmental disorders like schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders, providing insights into molecular events and potential interventions.
Mouse Models in Mental Health Research
Mice are utilized in mental health research due to their well-characterized cortical development, enabling the manipulation of specific genes involved in cortical development and the creation of models with mutations associated with disorders.
In Vivo Imaging and Histological Analysis
In vivo imaging and histological analysis are employed to visualize cellular processes at different stages of development in mental health research, offering insights into the structural and functional changes associated with disorders.
Genetic Factors and GWAS in Schizophrenia
Genome-wide associated studies (GWAS) analyzing genomes of individuals with schizophrenia identified 108 distinct loci, including genes related to dopamine neurotransmission, glutamatergic neurotransmission, and immunity.
Environmental Factors and Mental Disorders
Environmental factors, including prenatal exposure to viral infections, poor nutrition, and cannabis smoking during adolescence, increase the risk of mental disorders, as indicated by epidemiological and twin studies.
Neuroinflammation and Psychosis
Neuroinflammation, characterized by elevated pro-inflammatory proteins and increased microglial cells, is linked to psychosis and related disorders, providing a potential target for intervention
Schizophrenia Symptoms and Criteria
Schizophrenia is diagnosed based on the presence of delusions, hallucinations, or catatonic behaviors persisting for six months. Positive, negative, cognitive, disorganized, and affective symptoms contribute to the criteria.
