depression pathophysiology

Question 1

what are affective disorders

Answer 1

unipolar depression and bipolar disorder

Question 2

what two symptoms must one have to be diagnosed with depression and for how long?

Answer 2

• Low mood
• Anhedonia
• For more than 2 weeKS

Question 3

What symptoms must one have at least 4 of to be diagnosed with depression?

Answer 3

1. Guilt
2. Hopelessness, despair
3. Suicidality
4. Disturbed sleep
5. Altered appetite
6. Poor concentration, cognitive dysfunction
7. Fatigue
8. Restlessness/slowed movement

Question 4

what two episodes do people with bipolar disorder experience?

Answer 4

1. Mania or hypoania

2. Depression

Question 5

what happens in bipolar 1?

Answer 5

• depressed and manic

- function is impaired

Question 6

what happens in bipolar 2?

Answer 6

• extremely depressed and hypomanic

- function is not impaired

Question 7

why do those suffering from bipolar disorder have a reduced lifespan?

Answer 7

• suicide
• lifestyle
• reduced access to healthcare

Question 8

what lifestyle interventions help with unipolar depression?

Answer 8

1. sleep hygiene improved
2. exercise
3. socialising
4. good diet
5. reduced alcohol and drug intake
6. talking

Question 9

Explain the process of glucocorticoid signalling?

Answer 9

• Lipophilic CORT(CORTISOL) diffuses across membranes
• Binds to (intracellular) Glucocorticoid Receptors (GR) and Mineralocorticoid Receptor(MR) in brain
• Activated GR binds to glucocorticoid response element (GRE) in promotor regions of genes
• GREs can repress or increase gene transcription
• e.g. In the hypothalamus and pituitary GR reduces production of peptides CRH and ACTH-feedback

Question 10

Is the glucocorticoid level higher, lower or the same in people with depression/bipolar than those without?

Answer 10

they have higher glucocorticoid levels

Question 11

what is the monoamine theory of depression?

Answer 11

Relative decrease in NA and/or 5-HT neurotransmission underlies the symptoms of depression

Question 12

where in the brain is 5-HT stored/contained?

Answer 12

dorsal and median raphe nuclei

Question 13

where in the brain is noradrenaline contained?

Answer 13

in the locus coerlus

Question 14

what type of release does serotonin undergo?

Answer 14

tonic release

Question 15

what type of release does noradrenaline undergo?

Answer 15

phasic release

Question 16

what determines the synthesis rate of 5HT and NA?

Answer 16

TPH (tryptophan hydroxylase) for 5HT

TH (tyrosine hydroxylase) for NA

Question 17

what are the two main classes of antidepressant drugs?

Answer 17

inhbitors of monoamine metabolism

inhibitors of monoamine reuptake