Chapter 3: Psychobiology and Psychopharmacology Flashcards
Unique second-generation medication, sometimes referred to as “third-generation”
aripiprazole
Which neurotransmitter imbalance occurs in a patient with schizophrenia?
a decrease in y-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Which medical condition may exist when a patient exhibits mild symptoms of mania?
Graves’ disease
Which anomaly on a PET scan supports the diagnosis of depression?
increase in black areas
Which electrolyte must be monitored when administering Lithium?
sodium
Which neuromodulator is involved in regulating mood and anxiety?
substance P
Which preliminary finding is expected for a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia who is evaluated with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)?
decreased use of glucose in the frontal lobe
Which neurotransmitters are responsible for the hallucinations, anxiety, and altered thought processes experienced by a patient having a schizophrenic psychotic episode?
dopamine, norepinephrine, and GABA
Which neurotransmitter imbalance is associated with depression?
decreased serotonin, decreased dopamine, decreased norepinephrine and increased acetylcholine
What symptoms are assessed when a patient experiences anticholinergic side effects?
blurred vision, dry mouth, and constipation
What specific instruction would be given to prevent complications of diazepam owing to excessive central nervous system depression?
avoid consuming alcohol while on this drug
Which effect would a drug that enhances GABA receptor activity have on a patient?
sedation
Which neurotransmitter effect occurs with anxiolytic medication?
increases the effectiveness of GABA
Which neurotransmitters do circadian rhythms secrete?
norepinephrine and serotonin
What are the 3 physiological actions of neurons?
Responding to stimuli, conducting electrical impulses, and releasing neurotransmitters
Which mental health issues arise from decreased Dopamine levels?
parkinson’s and depression
Which neurotransmitters are affected in patients with depression?
decreased dopamine, decreased norepinephrine, and decreased serotonin
What may be seen in a patient with increased levels of dopamine?
schizophrenia and mania
Which disorder is seen when there is a decrease in norepinephrine?
depression
Which mental health issues may arise with an increase in norepinephrine?
mania, anxiety states, schizophrenia
What a decrease in serotonin lead to?
depression
What can an increase in histamines lead to?
sedation and weight gain
If a patient has low GABA levels, which mental health issues may this patient experience?
anxiety, schizophrenia, mania, huntington’s disease
Increased GABA levels will _________ anxiety levels
reduce
What can a decrease in ACh lead to?
Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s
What can an increase in ACh be associated with?
depression
What are the 4 main effects of dopamine?
Involved in fine motor movement
Involved in integration of emotions and thoughts
Involved in decision making
Stimulates the hypothalamus to release hormones
What are the 3 main functions of seratonin?
plays a role in sleep regulation, hunger, mood states, and pain perception
Hormonal activity
Plays a role in aggression and sexual behavior
What are the 3 ways that norepinephrine functions in the body?
level in the brain affects mood
Attention and arousal
stimulates sympathetic branch of autonomic nervous system for fight or flight
What are the 3 roles that histamine has in the body?
involved in alertness
involved in inflammatory response
stimulates gastric acid secretions
4 main roles of GABA
plays a role in inhibition; reduces aggression, excitation, and anxiety
May play a role in pain perception
Has anticonvulsant and muscle-relaxing properties
May impair cognition and psychomotor functioning
What is the role of ACh in the body (3)?
Plays a role in learning and memory
stimulates parasympathetic branch of autonomic nervous system for “resting and digesting” actions
Affects sexual behavior and aggression
What does a PET scan of an alzheimers disease patient look like?
a classic pattern of hypometabolism in the temporal and parietal regions of the brain
Which brain scans can help confirm a schizophrenia diagnose?
CT, MRI, and PET scans
If a PET scan shows Increased D2, D3 receptors in caudate nucleus and abnormalities in limbic system, what may the patient be presenting with?
schizophrenia
What would be seen in an MRI of a patient with schizophrenia?
Enlarged ventricles
Reduction in temporal lobe and prefrontal lobe
What will a CT of a schizophrenic patient show?
Cortical atrophy
Third ventricle enlargement
Which receptor do benzodiazepines affect?
GABA
How long does it take for antidepressants to have antianxiety effects?
4-8 weeks
How do SSRIs work?
block the reuptake of serotonin thereby making more serotonin available in the synapse
What are the 6 most common SSRIs?
fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), Paroxetine (Paxil), Citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), and fluvoxamine (Luvox)
Which SSRI causes insomnia and nervousness?
fluvoxamine
Which SSRI causes the most GI distress?
sertraline
Which SSRI will prolong the QT interval in a dose-dependent fashion?
Citalopram
Which drug is a NaSSA?
Mirtazapine
How do NaSSA meds work?
It enhances norepinephrine and serotonin neurotransmission by antagonizing both presynaptic α2 receptors and postsynaptic 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors
Which medication is a NDRI?
Buproprion (Wellbutrin)
3 serious side effects of clozapine
agranulocytosis, myocarditis, and altered glucose metabolism.
