Final Exam Review

Question 1

Nicotine self-administration

Answer 1

depends on the dopamine pathway to the nucleus accumbens for its reinforcing effects

Question 2

Severe caffeinism can be indistinguishable from

Answer 2

an anxiety disorder

Question 3

All of the following are withdrawal symptoms observed following long-term heavy marijuana use except

Answer 3

increased sleep

Question 4

Recent imaging studies have demonstrated some evidence of abnormalities or alterations in several brain structures including

Answer 4

the hippocampus and angular cingulate cortex

Question 5

One of the most reliable physiological effects of cannabis use in humans is

Answer 5

increased hunger

Question 6

Psychoses are characterized by all of the following except

Answer 6

Savant-like increases in intelligence

Question 7

The major is ychoactive ingredient of the marijuana plant

Answer 7

delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol

Question 8

Of phenothiazines, restraint, insulin-induced seizures, and prefrontal lobotomy, the only treatments introduced after 1956 were

Answer 8

phenothiazine

Question 9

True or false: Adenosine is released by caffeine

Answer 9

false

Question 10

describe the fastest way to administer nicotine to the brain

Answer 10

through smoking

Question 11

Caffeine

Answer 11

is rapidly and completely absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, primarily the small intestine

Question 12

Out of the following, which is not a characteristic of amotivational syndrome associated with marijuana use: decreased productivity, anxiety, lack of planning, or apathy?

Answer 12

Anxiety

Question 13

According to researchers, why do adolescents smoke?

Answer 13

to lose weight

Question 14

Current evidence suggests that caffeine exerts its stimulant effects at the synapse by

Answer 14

blocking adenosine receptors

Question 15

of the following symptoms, which is not a symptom of schizophrenia: auditory hallucinations, value/illogical speech, severe anxiety, or delusions of persecution?

Answer 15

Severe anxiety

Question 16

What is the most consistent functional abnormality in the brains of individuals with schizophrenia?

Answer 16

Hypofrontality

Question 17

The following substance is not produced or released during the smoking of tobacco

Answer 17

Carbon dioxide

Question 18

According to the positive/negative symptom classification for schizophrenia,

Answer 18

positive symptoms are worsened by drugs that increase dopamine levels in the brain

Question 19

Evidence supports the idea that there is a strong genetic component to schizophrenia except

Answer 19

the monozygotic twin concordance rate is around 48-50% but they share 100% of their genes

Question 20

A potentially dangerous effect of the combination of energy drinks and alcohol is that

Answer 20

Alcohol-related impairment is still present although the individual might feel less intoxicated

Question 21

Psychosis

Answer 21

The inability to distinguish the real and unreal.

Question 22

Describe the disorganization in the brain observed with individuals who have schizophrenia

Answer 22

Hippocampal cells in the brain have been found to be disorganized compared to healthy individuals without the disorder. Some cortical layers are atrophied and there are dendritic trees that are reduced in size, thus contributing to connection failures.

Question 23

True or False: changes in the brain are progressive throughout the illness and not necessarily the cause of illness.

Answer 23

False. Changes in brain structure may contribute to gradual deterioration. These changes may result from effects of antipsychotic medication….

Question 24

Hypofrontality in patients with schizophrenia is caused by

Answer 24

lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex. The effect, then, is less glucose flow to the brain, which causes less cellular activity. Scans of the brain will also show less activity in cognitive activities.

Question 25

The following genes are suspected to be involved in genetic predisposition to schizophrenia

Answer 25

Genetic correlates of understood characteristics present in schizophrenics (i.e. eye-tracking dysfunction); alleles needed for neurotransmitters and receptors; and genetic mutations involved in brain development

Question 26

What is the role of epigenetics in onset of schizophrenia?

Answer 26

Stress modifies genes that contribute to changes in neurodevelopment. Levels of reeling, a glycoprotein released by neurons and is involved in positioning during fetal development, is observed at lower concentrations. It is also observed in lower levels in adults suffering from schizophrenia as well. The particular gene that codes for Reelin: RELN.

Question 27

How is the DISC1 gene involved in onset of schizophrenia?

Answer 27

this gene codes for proteins needed for proper neurological development and, in cases of mutation, it can be disrupted by chromosomal translocation. DISC1 polymorphisms are also associated with impairments in cognition.

Question 28

What is the importance in proper brain development?

Answer 28

Researchers believe proper brain development is essential for the components to develop correctly. Mutations in the genes above (DISC1 and RELN) can contribute to molecular changes in the brain that would thus contribute to schizophrenia.

Question 29

What are some examples of neurological development disruption?

Answer 29

Perinatal complications are attributed to genetic predisposition of schizophrenia. Such complications include reduced oxygen levels during delivery, drug use, infection, endocrine disorders, malnutrition and viral infection.

Question 30

List some early signs that are visible during early life that would indicate schizophrenia development is possible.

Answer 30

Passivity and apathy, reduced responsiveness to verbal commands, difficult temperament, poor sensorimotor performance.

Question 31

Why is adolescence so important for neurological development?

Answer 31

This period of life is significant in brain development and excessive synaptic pruning can cause a loss of cortical gray matter.

Question 32

Role of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in physiological anxiety response

Answer 32

Although amygdaloid processing is involved in anxiety, the BNST projects to the same regions as the central nucleus. The BNST initiates emotional response when stimuli are less precise predictors of potential danger. A sustained response of preparedness for unclear danger.

Question 33

Function of the amygdala

Answer 33

aids in formation of emotional memories. Also contributes to memory consolidation; it is able to do so because of its connections to the hippocampus.

Question 34

What allows us to cope with normal situations?

Answer 34

Inhibitory control exerted by the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate. these regions of the brain are thought to be involved in anxiety; due to imbalance between emotional generating centers and higher cortical control.

Question 35

Generalized anxiety

Answer 35

defined as anxiety lacking focus and discernible cause in the environment. Generalized anxiety also involves constant worry and prediction of dreadful events.

Question 36

Differentiate a panic attack and panic disorder

Answer 36

A panic attack occurs when the individual experiences all effects of a fear reaction without a viable threat present; panic attacks also result in enhanced activity of the sympathetic ANS. Panic disorder is defined as when the individual experiences individual panic attacks and anticipatory anxiety over possible future attacks.

Question 37

What criteria are used to diagnose an individual with a panic disorder?

Answer 37

A patient must experience both recurrent unexpected panic attacks and at least one of them must be preceded by one or more of: a. constant concern regarding another potential attack; worry about the implications of a panic attack; and they must also experience a significant change in behavior related to those attacks.

Question 38

What is agoraphobia?

Answer 38

Agoraphobia is correlated with being in an unsafe place and people with this phobia lead limited lives

Question 39

Define post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Answer 39

After experiencing severely traumatizing events, one not only becomes afraid of them but can be left with a sense of helplessness.

Question 40

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is defined by

Answer 40

Recurring, continuous intrusive thoughts of contamination, violence, sex or religion that can lead to feeling anxiety, guilt and shame.

Question 41

Compulsions

Answer 41

repetitive rituals to alleviate the anxiety produced by the obsessive thoughts.