Anxiety; Neuroscience and Drug Treatment Flashcards
What is the definition of anxiety?
A feeling of dread or fear?
What is GABA?
an inhibitory neurotransmitter in benzodiazepines common in the amygdala and hippocampus
What does GABA do?
attaches to post-synaptic GABA receptors and opens Cl- channels (hyperpolarisation)
What effect does benzodiazepines have?
increases the effect of GABA at GABA receptors, therefore less activity in amygdala-centered circuits, less anxiety/fear experienced.
What role does the amygdala have in fear and anxiety?
Amygdala as a fear-processing unit
What is a CSTC loop?
Cortex > Striatum > Thalamus > Cortex
What is a CSTC loop responsible for?
modulation of motor output and cognition
What is a DLPFC loop?
Dorsolateral preforntal cortex > striatum > thalamus > DLPFC
What is a DLPFC loop responsible for?
as a ‘worry loop’ and processing of fear
What does a depression and anxiety overlap suggest?
Attribute/aspect overlap suggests similar causes and possibly similar treatments
What is Serotonin?
An inhibitory neurotransmitter
What do SSRIs do?
Lowers the reuptake of serotonin, makes threshold achievement easier, higher neuron activity
What does anxiolytic mean?
To reduce anxiety
