What system in the brain is involved in depression?
Aversive system
-it promotes survival in event of stress
loss event- depression
threat event- anxiety
what mediates the aversive system?
serotonin
what system in the brian is involved in mania?
Appetitive system
-promotes seeking behaviours
what mediates the appetitive system?
dopamine
what structure in brain is reduced in depression?
hippocampal volume reduced
how is depression diagnosed?
Depressive episodes should last at least 2 weeks (with no hypomanic or manic symptoms)
At least 2 of the following must be present:
-Depressed mood (to a degree that is abnormal for the individual, present for most of day and almost every day, uninfluenced by circumstances, and for at least 2 weeks)
-Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that are normally pleasurable
-Decreased energy or increased fatigue
PLUS at least 4 of:
-loss of confidence or self esteem
-unreasonable guilt
-suicidal behaviours
-complaints of diminished ability to concentrate
-agitation or retardation
-sleep disturbance of any type
-change in appetite
classifications used for depression?
ICD10/11
DSM5
what can be used to assess severity of depression?
-HRSD
-MADRS
-PHQ 9
-
Subtypes of depression?
-psychotic depression
-Cotard’s syndrome
-Somatic syndrome
-Atypical depression
-Late onset depression
‘I cant eat because my bowels have turned to durst’
-what subtype
Cotard’s
-weight loss, lack of appetite
-depression worse in morning
-waking in morning 2 hours before usual time
-loss of libido
-loss of interest of pleasure in activities that normally enjoy
-lack of emotional reaction to things they would normally react to
what subtype?
Somatic syndrome
what subtype?
Atypical depression
Depression occuring for first time in later life
-what subtype?
late onset depression
Occasionally paranoid, typically ‘mood-congrent’ or hypochondiacal
what subtype?
Psychotic depression
what is considered mild depression?
key symptoms most of the time for atleast 2 weeks
5 symptoms of depression (<5 subthreshold depressive symptoms)
Key symptoms= low mood, fatigue + anhedonia
other:
-disturbed sleep
-reduced appetitie and/or weight
-fatigue or loss of energy
-agitation or slowing of movements
-poor concentration or indicisive
-feeling worthless, excessive guilt
-suicidal thoughts or acts
what is considered moderate depression?
key symptoms
5-7 symptoms
key symptoms= low mood, fatigue + anhedonia
other:
-disturbed sleep
-reduced appetitie and/or weight
-fatigue or loss of energy
-agitation or slowing of movements
-poor concentration or indicisive
-feeling worthless, excessive guilt
-suicidal thoughts or acts
what is considered severe depression?
3 key symptoms (fatigue, low mood + anhedonia)
>7 symptoms
can occur with or without psychotic symptoms
interfere with functioning
or PHQ >16
other:
-disturbed sleep
-reduced appetitie and/or weight
-fatigue or loss of energy
-agitation or slowing of movements
-poor concentration or indicisive
-feeling worthless, excessive guilt
-suicidal thoughts or acts
spontaneously resolving brief depressive episode following childbirth (50% of women)
-what subtype
post partum depression
recurrent depression in winter months
-what is this + what is treatment?
seasonal depression
-treat with bright light therapy
what is the monoamine hypothesis?
Depression is thought to be related to monoamine deficiency
-so medications which increase monoamine activity reduce depressive symptoms
what are examples of monoamines?
-Serotonin (5-HT)
-Dopamine
-Noradrenaline
what role does stress play in depression?
Stress releases cortisol
-Chronic stress can cause cortisol dysregulation
Excess cortisol may cause depression through:
-neuronal damage (low hippocampal volume)
-release of proinflammatory cytokines
what are the mofa of antidepressants?
Increase monoamine activity by two main mechanisms:
Reuptake inhibition- Keep monoamine in synaptic cleft
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors- Prevent removal of monoamine from presynaptic neuron
examples of tricyclic antidepressants?
-amitriptyline
-Imipramine