Brain Health 4 Flashcards
action of benzodiazepines in treating anxiety
GABA agonists
bind to GABA channels, easier for GABA to open channels, help people relax and decrease anxiety
why are alcohol abuse and anxiety disorders found in same people
alcohol agonist for GABA so reduces anxiety
form of self medication
which adaptive response of the brain to SSRIs seems to be involved in diminishing the symptoms of anxiety
nervous system adapts to chronically elevated brain serotonin via some structural or functional change not understood
monoamine hypothesis for affective disorders
problems arise with the modulatory systems for serotonin, norepinephrine, and/or dopamine, causing deficits in the CNS
drugs that increase monoamines improve patient mood
diathesis stress hypothesis of mood disorders
people may have genetic traits (diathesis) but their environmental influences (stressors) determine whether or not a disorder is produced
comorbidity of depression and anxiety
often coexist
childhood abuse and neglect and genetic factors put people at risk
animals injected with CRH
had behavioral effects similar to those of major depression
tactile stimulation activates
the ascending serotonergic inputs to the hippocampus and the serotonin triggers a long lasting increase in the expression of the glucocorticoid receptor gene
pros and cons of ECT
pros: relief occurs quickly
cons: memory loss
4 types of antidepressants
- tricyclic compounds
- SSRIs
- NE-selective reuptake inhibitors
- MAD inhibitors
tricyclic compounds
block reuptake of NE and 5-HT by transporters
SSRIs
act only on 5-HT terminals
NE-selective reuptake inhibitors
elevate monoamine neurotransmitter levels
MAD inhibitors
reduce enzymatic degradation of 5-HT and NE
antidepressants and HPA
dampen hyperactivity of HPA axis
changes in schizophrenic brains
enlarged lateral ventricles, defects in myelin sheaths, changes in synapses, etc
dopamine hypothesis schizophrenia
psychotic episodes triggered by activation of dopamine receptors
effects on GABA a receptor of alcohol and barbiturate
sedative hypnotic drugs, act like GABA, cause increased chloride conductance
effects on GABA a receptor of benzodiazepine
anti anxiety drug, enhances binding effects of GABA
effects on GABA a receptor of GABA
inhibitory receptor and effect, decreases neuron’s rate of firing
drugs can mimic symptoms of schizophrenia
amphetamine, dopamine action
narcotic
analgesic
sleep inducing
pain relieving
where does opium come from, use
extract of seeds of opium poppy
used to produce euphoria, analgesia, sleep, and relief
effect of behavioral stimulants
increase motor behavior and elevate mood and alertness
cocaine and amphetamine
how do cocaine and amphetamine affect dopamine pathway and synapses
dopamine agonists
block dopamine reuptake transporter
more dopamine in synaptic cleft
increase amount of dopamine available in synapses to stimulate dopamine receptors
stimulatory effect of caffeine
inhibits enzyme that normally breaks down second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)
increase in cAMP leads to increase in glucose production within cells, more energy available, higher rates of cellular activity
psychedelic drug
alters sensory perception and cognitive processes
four neurotransmitter pathways that can be affected by psychedelic drugs
acetylcholine synapses, CB1 and CB2 receptors and the memory systems of the brain, serotonin neurons/stimulate postsynaptic receptors of some serotonin synapses and block activity of serotonin neurons
sleep
helps brain prune back unneeded synapses
Homer1A prunes synapses
exercise
stimulates brain growth factors
more blood and insulin in brain
improve balance and flexibility
compassion/community service
growth on left side of prefrontal cortex
growth of integrative fibers in the brain
pleasure centers in brain equal watching others happy or yourself happy
lower inflammation in brain
meditation
reduces IL6 levels
lowers inflammation levels
increases functional connectivity of people’s resting default mode network in dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex
internal locus of control
overly internal people who lack confidence can become neurotic, anxious, and depressed
when taken to extreme can be psychologically unhealthy and unstable
nature
easier time solving creative problems cortisol levels drop EEGs show less energy coming from prefrontal cortex meaning brain is relaxed blood pressure drops anxiety decreases
dopamine vs glutamate
too much dopamine
too little glutamate
