Chapter 40: Medical Nutrition Therapy in Psychiatric and Cognitive Disorders

Question 1

chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)

Answer 1

A complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that lasts for at least six months and that can’t be fully explained by an underlying medical condition.

Question 2

fibromyalgia (FMS)

Answer 2

A condition that causes pain all over the body (also referred to as widespread pain), sleep problems, fatigue, and often emotional and mental distress

Question 3

serotonin

Answer 3

Key hormone that stabilizes our mood, feelings of well-being, and happiness. This hormone impacts your entire body. It enables brain cells and other nervous system cells to communicate with each other. Serotonin also helps with sleeping, eating, and digestion.

Question 4

norepinephrine

Answer 4

A naturally occurring chemical in the body that acts as both a stress hormone and neurotransmitter (a substance that sends signals between nerve cells). It’s released into the blood as a stress hormone when the brain perceives that a stressful event has occurred

Question 5

epinephrine

Answer 5

A hormone that is the principal blood-pressure raising hormone secreted by the medulla of the adrenal glands, is prepared from adrenal extracts or made synthetically, and is used medicinally especially to stimulate the heart during cardiac arrest and to treat life-threatening allergic reactions. AKA adrenaline

Question 6

glutamate

Answer 6

A neurotransmitter that sends signals in the brain and throughout the nerves in the body. Glutamate plays an important role during brain development. Normal levels of glutamate also help with learning and memory.

Question 7

enteric nervous system (ENS)

Answer 7

The intrinsic nervous system of the gut, made up of an extensive network of neurons that lines the walls of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Question 8

leaky gut (intestinal hypermeability)

Answer 8

A condition that creates gaps in the lining of the intestinal walls. These gaps allow food particles, bacteria, and waste products to seep directly into the bloodstream.

Question 9

eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)

Answer 9

An omega-3 fatty acid. EPA is used as a prescription medicine to reduce triglyceride levels. As a supplement, EPA is most commonly used for heart disease, preventing adverse events after a heart attack, and depression.

Question 10

docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

Answer 10

An omega-3 fatty acid. DHA plays a key role in the development of eye and nerve tissues. DHA might also reduce the risk of heart and circulatory disease by decreasing the thickness of the blood, reducing swelling (inflammation), and lowering blood levels of triglycerides

Question 11

alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)

Answer 11

A plant-based source of omega-3. Alpha-linolenic acid is thought to decrease the risk of heart disease by helping to maintain normal heart rhythm and pumping. It might also reduce blood clots.

Question 12

arachidonic acid (ARA)

Answer 12

An omega-6 fatty acid. Serves as a precursor to the eicosanoids prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes, which are involved with inflammation, vasoconstriction, and a multitude of metabolic regulations and also influence mood.

Question 13

neurotransmission

Answer 13

Brain cells communicating with each other

Question 14

addiction

Answer 14

The persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be physically, psychologically, or socially harmful

Question 15

alcoholism

Answer 15

Addiction to alcohol

Question 16

dopamine

Answer 16

The master pleasure molecule

Question 17

adverse childhood experience (ACE)

Answer 17

Potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood

Question 18

anxiety

Answer 18

A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

Question 19

amygdala

Answer 19

Part of the brain that processes fear-related stimuli and then signals other parts of the brain to fire and release norepinephrine; corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), which ultimately stimulates elevated cortisol levels; and other excitatory components of the sympathetic nervous system

Question 20

diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5)

Answer 20

Defines and classifies mental disorders in order to improve diagnoses, treatment, and research.

Question 21

bipolar disorder

Answer 21

A disorder in which people experience episodes of an elevated or agitated mood known as mania alternating with episodes of depression

Question 22

mild cognitive impairment (MCI)

Answer 22

An intermediate stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more serious decline of dementia

Question 23

dementia

Answer 23

A serious loss of cognitive ability characterized by memory loss.

Question 24

vascular dementia

Answer 24

Caused by poor circulation to the brain and multiple ministrokes that are called transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)

Question 25

MIND diet

Answer 25

Mediterranean-DASH intervention for neurodegenerative delay has been found to substantially slow cognitive decline with aging.

Question 26

synaptic plasticity

Answer 26

The ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time

Question 27

advanced glycation end products (AGEs)

Answer 27

AKA glycotoxins, are a diverse group of highly oxidant compounds created through a nonenzymatic reaction between reducing sugars and free amino groups of proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids

Question 28

major depressive disorder (MDD)

Answer 28

Associated with severe and persistent symptoms, leading to social role impairment and increased mortality, making it the leading cause of disability worldwide

Question 29

serotonin syndrome

Answer 29

The brain levels of serotonin are too high. Serotonin syndrome encompasses a wide range of clinical findings

Question 30

schizophrenia

Answer 30

A severe mental disorder that presents as psychosis, often with paranoia and delusions

Question 31

schizoaffective disorder

Answer 31

A diagnosis requires that a person meet all of the criteria for schizophrenia and all of the criteria for an episode of bipolar disorder or depression, with the exception of impaired function