Mood Disorders Flashcards Preview

2.4.1. Nervous System > Mood Disorders > Flashcards

Flashcards in Mood Disorders Deck (13)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

What are the symptoms of depression?

A

Continual for 2 weeks

Low mood, low energy, lack of enjoyment, interest

Depressive thoughts

2
Q

What brain structures are involved in depressive symptoms?

A

Limbic system = emotion, motivation, memory

Frontal lobe = motor, brocas, goal directed behaviour, attention, memory, mood, moral reasoning

Basal ganglia = emotion, cognition, behaviour, motor

Main hypothesis = mood determent by functional circuits between these brain areas

3
Q

What physical disorders cause depressive disorders?

A

Hormone disturbance such thyroid dysfunction

Vit def - vitamin B12

Heart and lung diseases

Blood vessels not functioning well

Kidney disease

Liver disease

4
Q

What structures make up the limbic system?

A

Cingulate gyrus

Hippocampus

Amygdala

Hypothalamus

Septum

Olfactory Bundle

Dentate gyrus

Anterior nucleus of the thalamus

Mammillary bodies

5
Q

What structures make up the basal ganglia?

A

Putamen

Globus pallidus externa

Globus pallidus interna

Caudate nucleus

Subthalamic nucleus

Substantia nigra

6
Q

What are the 2 main neurotransmitters implicated in depressive disorders?

A

Norepinephrine/noradrenaline

Serotonin

7
Q

What is the function of norepinephrine in the brain?

A

Mood

Suggests a role in behaviour (arousal and attention)

Implicated in memory functions

8
Q

Outline the evidence implicating nor-adrenaline in the causation of depression

A

Give AMPT which inhibits the transformation of tyrosine to L-dopa (which forms dopamine needed for the release of NE) = sleep, anger, depressive symptoms

9
Q

What is the role of serotonin in the brain?

A

Sleep

Impulse control

Appetite

Mood

10
Q

Where is serotonin produced?

A

brain stem (Raphe nuclei) and transported to cortical areas and limbic system

11
Q

Outline the reasons serotonin can be implicated in depression?

A

5HIAA (metabolite of serotonin) depletion in pts with depression

Tryptophan (serotonin precursor) depletion causes depression

12
Q

What causes people to become clinically depressed?

A

Predisposing = genetics, childhood experiences, female

Perpetuating = stressful job, studies, relationships, substance misuse, financial strain, housing

Precipitating = life events loss of health, relationship break ups

13
Q

What treatments are available for depression?

A

Medication = SSRIs, combinations, mood stabilisers (lithium)

CBT = social and psychological interventions