Mood Disorders Flashcards
(40 cards)
What is the DSM criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)? (2)
At least 5 symptoms for at least 2 weeks
At least 1 symptom of the following has to be one of the 5:
- anhedonia
- sadness
What are the symptoms of MDD? (2-7)
- anhedonia
- sadness
disturbed sleep
guilt/worthlessness
fatigue
psychomotor retardation
recurrent thoughts of death
learned helplessness
diminished ability to concentrate
What must the symptoms of MDD cause to get diagnosed? (4)
significant impairment in daily functioning
not attributable to substances or medical condition
no manic/hypomanic episode
specific severity
What is Persistent depressive disorder (PDD)?
less severe, but more chronic form of depression
What is the criteria for pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)? (2)
At least 1 of the core symptoms:
- irritability/anger/increased conflict
- hopelessness/self-deprecating thoughts
Plus at least 4 other symptoms
What are the symptoms of PMDD? (2-6)
- irritability/anger/increased conflict
- hopelessness/self-deprecating thoughts
early awakening
fluctuating weight/appetite
excessive guilt
overwhelmed
lack of energy
hypersomnia/insomnia
What is Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD)/complicated grief?
a condition where grief becomes so severe and persistent that it interferes with a person’s identity and ability to function in daily life
Give the epidemiology of MDD (3)
Occurs at any age but uncommon in children
Twice as common in women due to genetic predisposition and fluctuating hormones
Occurs in episodes
Which neurotransmitters act as antidepressants? (3)
serotonin
dopamine
norepinephrine
How does dopamine act as an antidepressant?
What are symptoms of dopamine deficiency? (3)
motivates us to seek pleasure and reinforcement
- anhedonia
- apathy
- difficulty concentrating
How does serotonin act as an antidepressant?
What are symptoms of serotonin deficiency? (4)
mood, sleep, appetite, and digestion regulation
- sadness
- anxiety
- irritability
- disturbed sleep
How does norepinephrine act as an antidepressant?
What are symptoms of norepinephrine deficiency? (3)
plays a role in alertness, focus, and energy levels
- fatigue/low energy
- difficulty concentrating
- problems with sleep and appetite
What is the role of the serotonin transporter protein (SERT)?
controls the ability of the axon to reabsorb serotonin after its release
How do stressful events affect people with the 2 short forms of the 5-HTT (serotonin) gene?
Explain why
increasing the number of stressful events led to an increase in the probability of depression
since the gene is shorter, it has a shorter DNA sequence, leading to less SERT production - hence reuptake of serotonin is less efficient
Name the 5 categories of antidepressant drugs (TSSMA)
- Tricyclics (dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine)
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s)
- Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI’s)
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI’s)
- Atypical antidepressants
Describe how tricyclics, SSRI’s and SNRI’s work (2)
- block transport proteins that reabsorb serotonin/dopamine/norepinephrine into the the presynaptic neuron
- therefore the neurotransmitters remain in the synaptic cleft, where they continue stimulating the postsynaptic neuron
Describe how MAOI’s work
Monoamine oxidase are enzymes that break down serotonin into inactive forms, hence MAOI’s block monoamine oxide
Give 2 examples of atypical antidepressants and how they work (2)
Bupropion - inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake
Agomelatine - works as an agonist (facilitator) at melatonin receptors
What herbal medication is used as an antidepressant, but is not regulated by the FDA?
St Johns Wort
In what cases are antidepressants ineffective?
What is the alternative treatment?
ineffective for people who suffered abuse, neglect, or trauma during early childhood
treatment: psychotherapy
What amino acid is required for an increase in serotonin levels?
Tryptophan - precursor to serotonin
What neurotrophin do people with depression have lower than average?
Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
What are neurotrophins?
proteins released at the synapse which aid in the survival, growth, and connections of neurons
If depressed people do not lack neurotransmitters, why do they still need antidepressants?
prolonged use of antidepressants increase BDNF production - which is needed to facilitate new learning to build new synapses
