Psych

Question 1

Frontal Lobe Syndromes

1. Cause
2. Clinical manifestation
3. Left sided vs Right sided
4. Dx

Answer 1

1. Cause: Damage to frontal lobe
2. Presentation: Issues with executive fxn (complex tasks, motivation, organization, etc.) and personality
3. Left sided: apathy/depression | Right sided: disinhibtion
4. Dx: info from fam/friends, neuropsych testing and structural brain imaging

Question 2

Narcolepsy

1. Pathology
2. Presentation
3. Tx

Answer 2

1. Pathology: Due to low levels o stimulatory neurotransmitter orexin (hypocretin) which is involved in maintaining wakefulness and suppressing REM sleep
2. Episodes of refreshing sleep during the daytime + at least one REM sleep-related phenomena (cataplexy, hypogogic/hyponopompic halluciantions, and sleep paralysis)
3. Psychostimulants: Modafinil

Question 3

Buproprion

1. Indication?
2. What key side-effect does it NOT have?
3. Contraindications/ Adverse Effects?

Answer 3

1. First-line tx for major deppression disorder
2. Does not cause sexual dysfunction (unlike the SSRIs)
3. Can lead to seizures so contraindicated in any patient with seizure disorders or prior dx of bulimia/anorexia

Question 4

Naltrexone

1. Indication
2. MOA
3. Effect

Answer 4

1. 1st line treatment for moderate to severe alcohol use disorder
2. Blocks the mu-opiod receptor
3. Effect: blocks the “rewarding and reinforcing” effects of alcohol, thus reducing cravings