Depression Flashcards

1
Q

What is a mood disorder?

A

General emotional state or mood is distorted or inconsistent with your circumstances & interferes with your ability to function.

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2
Q

What is Major Depressive Disorder? (MDD)

A

Individuals experience persistent feelings of sadness & hopelessness & lose interest in activities they once enjoyed.

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3
Q

Prevalence of depression?

A

1 in 6.

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4
Q

What are some physical changes from depression?

A

Stomach problems and chronic pain.

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5
Q

How many symptoms are to be diagnosed?

A

At least 5 out of 9 over 2 weeks.

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6
Q

Is there a link to genetics?

A

Yes. 2-3 times greater rates of depression if a first-degree relative had it.

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7
Q

What is the monoamine hypothesis?

A

Traditionally depression is thought to be strictly due to a deficit in monoamine signaling.

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8
Q

What is a deficit in signaling?

A

Limited release of NTs, deficits in the ability to clear NTs in the synapse, limited receptors to bind to, low affinity, etc.

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9
Q

What is the evidence for the Monoamine Hypothesis?

A

MAO inhibitors are effective antidepressants.

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10
Q

What are SSRIs?

A

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressants that block the reuptake of serotonin at synapses.

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11
Q

What are SNRIs?

A

Selective noradrenergic reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are antidepressants that block the reuptake of noradrenaline at synapses.

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12
Q

What happened to the monoamine hypothesis?

A

It has been debunked.

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13
Q

What is the evidence against the Monoamine Hypothesis?

A

There is little evidence that low levels of these neurotransmitters cause depression. Not everyone is cured, or even helped.

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14
Q

What is the Glucocorticoid hypothesis?

A

The glucocorticoid hypothesis suggests that dysfunctional regulation of the HPA axis stress response contributes to depression.

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15
Q

What is hypercortisolemia?

A

Chronic stress.

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16
Q

HPA axis dysregulation in depression?

A

Impaired engative feedback of HPA axis. The brain is not able to response to elevated blood cortisol by shutting down CRH, ACTH, and cortisol secretion.

17
Q

What is GR?

A

Glucocorticoid receptor.

18
Q

What has a lower sensitivity to cortisol?

A

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR).

19
Q

What happens to the hippocampus during depression?

A

Neuroimaging studies have shown reductions in hippocampal volume in patients with depression.

20
Q

What happens when left untreated?

A

More neurotoxicity. (kill neurons)

21
Q

What is neurogenesis?

A

Process of creating new neurons.

22
Q

How is cortisol affecting neurogenesis?

A

The process is blocked by cortisol and certain cytokines (like IL-1).

23
Q

How does estrogen affect depression?

A

Estrogen itself seems protective against stress and depression.

24
Q

What about the follicular phase?

A

The negative feedback system is more efficient during the follicular phase, when estrogen is high.

25
Q

When does mood drop for women?

A

Luteal phase.

26
Q

What is psilocybin?

A

A compound found in various species of fungi (mushrooms). Inactive, but when ingested/absorbed, immediately converted to psilocin, which has hallucinogenic effects.

27
Q

How does psilocin affect depression?

A

Psilocin is an agonist to several serotonergic receptors, especially 5HT2A; structurally similar to serotonin.