15.1

Question 1

List the symptoms of Major Depression.

Answer 1

Feeling sad and helpless for weeks at a time, low energy. feeling worthless, suicidal thoughts, trouble sleeping

Question 2

What is the evidence for a genetic predisposition to depression?

Answer 2

The close relatives of those with depression are more likely to develop drepression. The genetic predisposition is especially strong in relatives of women who have early-onset depression.

Question 3

Are men or women more vulnerable to depression?

Answer 3

women

Question 4

What might be the role of hormones in depression?

Answer 4

In women, a sudden drop in estradiol and progesterone triggers depression. In men, a lowered level of testosterone is associated with an increase in depression.

Question 5

What is Borna’s disease? What evidence links it to depression?

Answer 5

A viral disease that is found in farm animals.In a study, all people who were exposed to Borna had depression.

Question 6

What patterns of hemispheric dominance have been associated with happy moods in normal people? What is the pattern in depressed people?

Answer 6

In normal people, increased activity in the left prefrontal lobe is associated with happy moods. People with depression have decreased activity in the left and increased activity in the right.

Question 7

Name three groups of antidepressant drugs and explain how each works.

Answer 7

SSRIs block reuptake of serotonin
SNRIs block reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine
Atypical drugs inhibit reuptake of dopamine, and norepinephrine

Question 8

How effective is St. John’s wart? What class of antidepressants produces similar effects? What is one potential problem with St. John’s Wort?

Answer 8

It’s effectiveness varies from study to study. SSRIs produce similar effect as St. John’s Wort. It reduces the effectiveness of other medications.

Question 9

Do depressed people have low serotonin?

Answer 9

no

Question 10

Explain the problem of the time course of drug effects on neurotransmitters and their effects on depressive symptoms.

Answer 10

The drug effects neurotransmitters within hours, but it can take weeks before it has any effects on depressive symptoms.

Question 11

What neurotrophin is produced as a result of repeated use of antidepressants? In which brain area is it produced?

Answer 11

BNDF; hippocampus

Question 12

How is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) applied?

Answer 12

causes a seizure and is applied every other day for about 2 weeks

Question 13

What are the advantages and disadvantages of ECT?

Answer 13

Disadvantages are memory loss and the possibility of relapsing into a bout of depression within a few months. The advantage is it relieves depression.

Question 14

What newer treatment is similar to ECT?

Answer 14

transcranial magnetic stimulation

Question 15

What are the sleep patterns of depressed people?

Answer 15

They fall asleep but wake up early, unable to go back to sleep, and they enter REM sleep within 45 minutes after going to sleep.

Question 16

What changes in sleeping habits has been found to alleviate depression? How long do the benefits last?

Answer 16

Staying up all night, usually only lasts until they sleep again

Question 17

What is the difference between unipolar and bipolar disorder?

Answer 17

People with unipolar disorder alternate between a normal state and a depressed state. People with bipolar disorder alternate between a manic state and depression.

Question 18

Describe the symptoms of mania.

Answer 18

Restless activity, excitement, laughter, self-confidence, rambling speech, and loss of inhibitions

Question 19

What is hypnomania?

Answer 19

A milder manic phase is called hypomania and it includes agitation or anxiety

Question 20

What is the difference between bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 disorders?

Answer 20

People with bipolar I disorder have full blown episodes of mania. People with bipolar II disorder have midler manic phases.

Question 21

Describe the pattern of glucose metabolism in the two extreme conditions of bipolar 1 disorder?

Answer 21

Brain increases glucose use during mania and decreases it during depression

Question 22

What can we say about genetic factors in bipolar disorder?

Answer 22

Genetics increases the risk for bipolar disorder

Question 23

What is the most effective drug for bipolar 1 disorder? Which two drugs treat bipolar 2 disorder?

Answer 23

Lithium; valproate and carbamazepine

Question 24

What is a possible non-drug treatment for bipolar disorder?

Answer 24

regulating sleep*

Question 25

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? How is it treated?

Answer 25

Depression that recurs during a particular season, such as winter. It is treated with very bright lights

Question 26

How are sleep and temperature rhythms of SAD patients different from those of other depressed patients?

Answer 26

They have phase-delayed sleep and temperature rhythms. This means they become sleep and wakeful a bit later than normal. Other depressed patients’ rhythms are phase-advanced.