Child and adolescent psychiatry Flashcards
What are GWAS?
Genome wide association studies (GWAS)
What are GWAS used for?
Identify genetic risk factors for psychiatric disorder
What are some examples of intra-uterine and perinatal factors?
Maternal health Substance misuse Toxins Drugs Epigenetics Endocrine environment (androgens) Immune environment Premature birth Perinatal complications Twinning
What are some symptoms/signs of fetal alcohol syndrome?
Growth retardation (body, head, brain, eyes)
Neuro-developmental effects (sensorimotor, cognitive development, executive function, language)
Smooth philtrum
Thin upper lip
Short palpebral fissure length
What conditions are related to fetal alcohol syndrome?
ADHD
DCD (developmental disorder)
Learning difficulties
What are some examples of environmental factors during childhood?
Carer-child relationship Parenting skill/mental disorder e.g. post-natal depression, substance misuse Marital harmony, family function Nutrition Poverty Deprivation Abuse/neglect Discipline Schooling Peer relationships Life events Physical disability
What effect can fetal alcohol syndrome have on the brain?
Diminished white matter growth
Decreased gyrification
What is proximity seeking behaviour?
Infant seeking contact with parent when frightened, injured or ill
Early life stress influences the function which part of the brain?
Limbic circuit including amygdala
What is operant conditioning?
When the strength of a behaviour is modified by reinforcement or punishment
What type of neuron fire when you associate an action with subsequent reward?
Dopamine
What does early adversity do to dopamine response?
Decreases dopamine response
What is delay-aversion and delayed gratification?
Theory to explain ADHD - inability to wait and maintain attention in absence of immediate reward
How is expressed emotion related to relapse rate?
Reducing EE, can reduce relapse rate
