W12 MENTAL HEALTH 2 Flashcards
(220 cards)
What is depression?
A mental illness that can linger for for more than 2 weeks; it significantly affects one’s ability to work, play, love
Sx of depression
Having five of the following symptoms may inform a diagnosis of depression: depressed mood for 2+ weeks, loss of interest in things normally enjoyed, changes in appetite, changes in sleep patterns, restlessness or slowness, poor concentration, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, suicidal ideation or thoughts.
intangible sx
Depression has physical manifestations, seen in the naked eye, or x-ray… provide examples
smaller frontal lobe and hippocampus, blunted circadian rhythms (REM/slow wave sleep cycles), abnormal regulation of hormones (high cortisol, deregulation of thyroid hormones)
Which neurotransmitters are abnormally released/depleted during depression?
serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine
potential causes
mainly unknown, though, thought to be a genetic & environmental impact
treatment options for depression
medications and behavioural-cognitive therapy to boost brain chemicals; in extreme cases, electro-simulation
how does depression compare to general feelings of sadness
General sadness is a mood that comes and goes in most individuals. It is a natural part of life but is usually not as long lasting or as impactful as depression.
Which neurotransmitters and brain structures mentioned as being of key interest in the physiology of depression?
The key interest in physiology of depression includes abnormal levels of certain monoamine neurotransmitters, blunted circadian rhythms and sleep patterns, as well as hormonal abnormalities. Smaller frontal lobes and hippocampal volumes of the brain are also important to note.
list the processes during 5-HT nerve transmission
- serotonin (5-HT) is synthesised from tryptophan and loaded into vesicles via the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT)
- it then undergoes calcium-mediated exocytosis and is released into the synaptic cleft
- 5-HT then binds to the 5-HTr to induce a serotonergic effect
- 5-HT is then reabsorbed into the presynaptic cell via the serotonin transporter (SERT) and is reloaded into vesicles or degraded by monoamine oxidase (MOA)
what does VMAT stand for, and what is its function
vesicular monoamine transporter; it is responsible for the uptake of cystosolic monoamines into synaptic vesicles in monoaminergic neurons
what MAO stand for, and what is its function
monoamine oxidase; an enzyme involved in removing the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine from the brain.
what is the monoamine theory of depression?
it states there is a deficiency of monoamine neurotransmitters within the brain. Deficiencies of key monoamines including serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline lead to symptoms of depression.
what are TCAs
tricyclic antidepressants.
what are available TCA medications (-ine, -in) (6)
[A, C, D, D, I, N]
amitriptyline, clomipramine, dosulepin, doxepin, imipramine, nortryptiline
what is the overall effect of TCAs
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) block the reuptake of serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) in presynaptic terminals, which leads to increased concentration of these neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft, which leads to their anti-depressive effect. Additionally, they act as competitive antagonists on post-synaptic cholinergic, muscarinic, and histaminergic receptors (H1).
what are the side effects of TCAs (6)
dry mouth, constipation, difficulty urinating, sedation, sexual complications, weight gain.
it is not a good idea to drink alcohol when depressed as it tends to worsen the depression. it also interacts with TCAs, increasing sedation.
the side effects of TCAs are largely due to the…
interactions w non-monoamine associated receptors; the most common adverse effects including constipation, dizziness, and xerostomia (dry mouth)
TCA side effects: Due to its blockade of cholinergic receptors, these drugs can lead to…
blurred vision, constipation, xerostomia, confusion, urinary retention, and tachycardia.
TCAs may also cause cardiovascular complications, including arrhythmias, such as QTc prolongation, ventricular fibrillation, and sudden cardiac death in patients with pre-existing ischemic heart disease.
TCA side effects: Due to its blockade of alpha-1 receptors…
it can cause orthostatic hypotension and dizziness
TCA side effects: Due to its blockade of histamine (H1) receptors…
causes sedation, increased appetite, weight gain, and confusion.
Noting the side-effects of TCAs, what other conditions could they be used to treat? (8)
migraine prophylaxis, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), insomnia, anxiety, and chronic pain, especially neuropathic pain conditions such as myofascial pain, diabetic neuropathy, and postherpetic neuralgia. TCAs are also the second-line treatment for fibromyalgia after the failure of other treatments.
what are SNRIs
serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs); antagonises reuptake transporters of both noradrenaline and serotonin
what are current SNRIs available in Australia (-xine, -xetine) (3)
venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine, and duloxetine
describe the mechanism of action of SNRI medication
SNRIs antagonism both 5-HT and noradrenergic re-uptake transporters, increasing the concentrations of both neurotransmitters in synapses.