Bipolar disorder

Question 1

Bipolar disorder definition

Answer 1

A type of depression interspersed with episodes of mania

Question 2

Mood stabilisers

Answer 2

Mood stabilisers are used to treat bipolar disorder

They lessen manic episodes, this leads to correspondingly reduced severity of depressive episodes

Question 3

Phosphatidyl inositol cycle

Answer 3

The phosphatidyl inositol cycle produces IP3

IP3 stimulates release of calcium ions from the ER and hence the cycle is excitatory

Question 4

Lithium

Answer 4

Lithium is used to treat manic episodes

It can enter the cell, but cannot leave the cell

It inhibits the phosphatidyl inositol cycle via the glycogen synthase 3 enzyme

This inhibits calcium release and so lessens mania

Question 5

Lithium side effects

Answer 5

Lithium is generally well tolerated

Can cause individuals to feel dampened

Side effects = nausea, tremor, renal effects, weight gain, hyperthyroidism