Drug Treatments Flashcards
1
Q
What are Drug treatments?
A
- Drug Treatments are commonly used to treat the co-morbid symptoms of AN such as depression and anorexia
2
Q
What is EPHX2?
A
- Codes for an enzyme expoxide hydrolyse which regulates cholesterol metabolism
- This also links to regulation of serotonin.
3
Q
What is DAT1?
A
- Codes for a protein which regulates transport if dopamine is in the brain.
- Dsyregulation of dopamine activity - lack of motivation/reward/satisfaction with eating
4
Q
How does serotonin and anorexia link?
A
- People suffering from anorexia, have significantly LOWER LEVELS OF SEROTONIN.
- Body synthesises serotonin from food we eat, hence starvation would cause lower levels of serotonin.
5
Q
What happens when anorexic individuals eat?
A
- Serotonin levels spike rapidly which in turn causes extreme anxiety.
- Known as SEROTONIN syndrome
6
Q
What is serotonin syndrome?
A
- serotonin is primarly produced in the gastrointestinal tract
- sudden INCREASE can cause in nausea, agitation and anxiety.
- Hence the cycle of restricting their diet developing a fear around eating.
7
Q
What is serotonin?
A
- Serotonin is a chemical that carries messages between nerve cells in the brain and throughout your body.
8
Q
What is Dopamine?
A
Dopamine is a hormone that gives the sense of pleasure.
9
Q
How does dopamine link to anorexia?
A
- Dopamine- Anorexia is associated with an over production of dopamine, which causes anxiety and harm avoidance.
- Dieting and exercise can trigger stress in the brain.
- Stress increases dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens in anorexic individuals.
10
Q
What are SSRIs?
A
- SSRI’s - they are often prescribed due to the link between low serotonin and anorexia.
- Fluoxetine is an example of the drug which works by increasing serotonin levels.
- It is assumed that this will improve the depression and anxiety behavioral symptoms associated with anorexia.
11
Q
What are first generation anti-psychotics?
A
- First generation anti psychotics - they block dopamine also enabled patients to achieve some weight gain but they do not affect any of the other symptoms.
- They mainly focus on dopamine functioning. Suggests that the stratium might contribute to anorexia nervous symptoms.
12
Q
What are second generation anti-psychotics?
A
- Second generation drugs- They have led to patients to gain weight, they did not treat any of the co-morbid symptoms.
13
Q
What are side effects of SRRIs?
A
- Increase in suicidal thoughts
- Chances of suicidal thoughts double when taking anti-depressants
- gaining weight - as medication can be difficult to come to terms with.
