pt 3

• What are affective disorders also known as?

  Mood disorders
• What are the characteristics of major depression?

  • Feeling sad and helpless every day for weeks
  • Little energy
  • Feelings of worthlessness
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Feelings of hopelessness
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Little pleasure
• What can cause symptoms similar to depression?

  Hormonal problems, head injuries, brain tumors, substance abuse, or other illnesses
• What is a more reliable symptom of depression than increased sadness?

  Absence of happiness
• At what age does depression occur?

  At any age, but it is uncommon in children
• How much more common is depression in women compared to men?

  Twice to three times as common
• What is the lifetime prevalence of depression?

  10%
• What viral infection may predispose people to depression?

  Borna disease
• What does postpartum depression refer to?

  Depression after giving birth
• What percentage of women are affected by postpartum depression?

  About 20%
• What factors may increase the likelihood of postpartum depression?

  Previous history of depression
• What hormonal changes may be associated with postpartum depression?

  A drop in oestradiol and progesterone levels
• What brain anomalies are associated with depression?

  Larger ventricle size, decreased brain activity, and increased activity in certain areas
• What is the relationship between modern lifestyle and depression?

  Modern lifestyle is associated with a greater risk of anxiety and depression
• What do studies of twins and adopted children suggest about depression?

  There is a moderate degree of heritability
• What other conditions are some genes associated with depression also linked to?

  Anxiety disorders, ADD, OCD, substance-abuse disorders, bulimia, migraine headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome
• Who has an elevated risk of depression?

  Relatives of women with early-onset depression
• How was the link between serotonin and depression discovered?

  By clinical serendipity
• What does the monoamine hypothesis of depression suggest?

  Depression involves reduced activity of monoamine neurotransmitters
• Which neurotransmitters are primarily focused on in the monoamine hypothesis?

  Norepinephrine and serotonin
• What does acetylcholine do to skeletal muscles?

  Excites them to contract
• What do agonists do at the acetylcholine synapse?

  Excite muscles, increasing muscle tone
• What do antagonists do at the acetylcholine synapse?

  Inhibit muscles, decreasing muscle tone
• What does the serotonin transporter gene control?

  The ability of the axon to reabsorb serotonin after its release
• What is associated with an increased likelihood of depression after stressful events?

  Two "short forms" of the serotonin transporter gene
• What does the gene-environment interaction suggest about some individuals?

  Some individuals are more susceptible to both negative and positive environmental conditions
• What mutation is associated with major depression?

  A hTPH2 mutation
• How much more frequent is the hTPH2 mutation in major depression patients compared to nondepressed controls?

  10 times more frequent
• What does the hTPH2 mutation result in?

  Approximately 80% loss of function in serotonin production
• Why are depressed patients with the hTPH2 mutation not responsive to certain antidepressants?

  Not enough serotonin is produced in the first place
• What are the categories of antidepressant drugs?

  • Tricyclics
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
  • Atypical antidepressants
• How do tricyclics operate?

  By blocking transporter proteins that reabsorb neurotransmitters
• What is an example of a tricyclic antidepressant?

  Imipramine (Tofranil)
• What side effects can tricyclics create?

  Dry mouth, difficulty urinating, heart irregularities
• How do selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) work?

  By blocking the reuptake of serotonin
• What are examples of SSRIs?

  Fluoxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, citalopram, paroxetine
• How do MAOIs work?

  By blocking the enzyme monoamine oxidase
• When are MAOIs usually prescribed?

  If SSRIs and tricyclics are not effective
• What do atypical antidepressants do?

  Inhibit the reuptake of dopamine and noradrenaline but not serotonin
• What is an example of an atypical antidepressant?

  Bupropion (Wellbutrin)