AbPsych pg2

• Axis V: Global Assessment of Functioning
• Theoretical Approaches in Explaining the Etiology of Psychological Disorders

  • One-Dimensional-looking for a single cause
  • Multidimensional-looking for a systemic cause
• Genes


  Long molecules of DNA at various locations on chromosomes, within cell nucleus
• Chromosomes


  The chain-like structures within a cell nucleus that contain the genes
• Genes


  Carriers of the information we inherit from our parents
• Human Chromosomes


  • 46 Chromosomes, 23 Pairs, 22 Pairs of Autosomes, 1 pair Sex Chromosomes
• XX-female, XY-male


  Sex Chromosomes
• Dominant and Recessive


  Genetic inheritance patterns
• Phenotypes


  Observable characteristics
• Genotypes


  Unique genetic makeup
• Polymorphisms


  Naturally occurring variations of genes
• Polygenic


  Influenced by multiple genes or by multiple polymorphisms of genes with any one gene having only very small effects
• Endophenotypes


  Genetic mechanisms that ultimately contribute to the underlying problems causing the symptoms and difficulties experienced by people with psychological disorders
• Basic Genetic Epidemiology


  Statistical analysis of family, twin, and adoption studies to determine if the disorder can be inherited and how much is attributable to genetics
• Advanced Genetic Epidemiology


  Studies the factors that influence the disorder
• Gene Finding


  Identifying what gene influences the behavior
• Molecular Genetics


  Biological analysis of individual DNA samples, biological processes genes affect to produce symptoms of the disorder
• Family Studies


  Examine behavioral pattern or emotional trait in the context of the family
• Proband


  The first person in the family to be identified as possibly having a genetic disorder and who may receive genetic counseling or testing
• Adoption Studies


  Identify adoptees who have a particular behavioral pattern or psychological disorder and attempt to locate first-degree relatives who were raised in different family settings
• Twin Studies


  Usually conducted on identical twins because they share genetic makeup
• These people who reported more severe stressful life events and had at least one short allele of the 5-HTT gene were at greater risk of developing depression (Caspi et al, 2003) (serotonin-transporter gene)
• Epigenetics


  Factors other than inherited DNA sequence, such as new learning or stress, that alter the phenotypic expression of genes
• Neuroscience


  The study of the nervous system, especially the brain, to understand behavior, emotions, and cognitive processes
• Neurotransmitters


  • Glutamate (E) - memory, learning, thinking
  • GABA (I) - calming, mood, sleep, seizures
  • Serotonin (I) - mood, sleep, sexuality, appetite, pain
  • Dopamine (P) - pleasure, reward, arousal, learning
  • Epinephrine (F) - fight-or-flight response
  • Norepinephrine (C) - concentration, alertness, arousal, decision-making, attention, focus
  • Endorphins (E) - natural pain reliever, euphoria
  • Acetylcholine (E) - learning, heart rate, blood pressure, gut motility, muscle contraction, memory, motivation, sexual desire, sleep
• Brain Stem


  Lower and more ancient part of the brain, essential for autonomic functioning such as breathing, heartbeat, etc.
• Hindbrain


  Contains the medulla, pons, and cerebellum; regulates many autonomic activities such as breathing, heartbeat, and digestion
• Cerebellum


  Controls motor coordination, abnormalities associated with autism
• Midbrain


  Coordinates movements with sensory input and contains parts of reticular activating system (contributes to sleep, arousal and tension)
• Thalamus and Hypothalamus


  Involved in regulating behavior, emotions, and hormones
• Limbic System


  Located around the edge of the center of the brain, includes the hippocampus, cingulate gyrus, septum, and amygdala; regulates emotional experiences and expressions, and to some extent, our ability to learn and control impulses
• Amygdala


  Involved in emotions
• Hippocampus


  Shrinks when a person has depression
• Basal Ganglia


  Base of the forebrain, includes caudate nucleus; damage involved in changing our posture or twitching/shaking, related to Parkinson's Disease
• Cerebral Cortex


  Provides us with our distinctly human qualities, allowing us to look to the future and plan, to reason, and to create
• Left Hemisphere


  Responsible for verbal and other cognitive processes
• Right Hemisphere


  Perceiving the world around us and creating images
• Cerebral Lobes


  • Frontal, Parietal, Occipital, Temporal
• Prefrontal Cortex


  Area responsible for higher cognitive functions
• HPA Axis


  Hypothalamus, Pituitary Gland, Adrenal Cortex - regulate