BIOMED SCIE L ecture 22 dedpression

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GIO

Cards (17)

Neurotransmitters 
Acetylcholine
Amino acids and derivatives (including glutamate, GABA, glycine, histamine, serotonin)
Monoamines (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine)
Nucleotides (adenosine, ATP)
Peptides (endorphins, oxytocin, substance P)
Acetylcholine 
A classical neurotransmitter involved in muscle contraction
Glutamate 
Major excitatory neurotransmitter
GABA 
Major inhibitory neurotransmitter
The lifetime risk of experiencing at least one episode of major depression is 17.1% (21% in women, 13% in men)
Depression is the second leading cause of disability worldwide after ischemic heart disease
Depression is a high risk factor for suicide (higher rate in men)
Mood Disorders 
Includes various forms of major depression (unipolar) and bipolar disorder (alternating depression with manic episodes)
Diagnosis of mood disorders is based on DSM-5 without objective tests available
Causes of Depression 
Genetic factors (hereditary predisposition involving multiple genes)
Environmental factors (chronic stress and hormonal response)
Symptom of many medical conditions
Monoamine Hypothesis of Mood Disorders 
Involvement of neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine
Antidepressant drugs 
Aim to enhance neurotransmitter function
Treatment of Depression 
Psychotherapy
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Antidepressant medications
Limitations of antidepressant drugs include variable response times and efficacy
Cytokine Hypothesis of Depression 
Similarities between sickness behavior and depression, immune abnormalities and chronic inflammation associated with depression
Adult Neurogenesis and Depression 
Neurogenesis influenced positively by stimulating environments, exercise, learning, and antidepressant treatment, reduced by stress, age, and opiates
Network Hypothesis of Depression 
Depression may result from information processing issues, antidepressant treatment may promote neural network "repair"