Lecture 1 Block 3

Question 1

define psychological stress

Answer 1

a feeling of strain and pressure on the mind

Question 2

define physiological stress

Answer 2

a real strain on the body

Question 3

what is a stressor

Answer 3

a physical, chemical, or psychological factor resulting in tension of the body or mind

Question 4

what are the 4 stress responses of the body

Answer 4

1. sympathetic activation in 2-3 seconds
2. adrenal activation in 20-30 seconds
3. HPA axis activation in minutes, days, or hours
4. cortisol negative feedback surpasses stress response

Question 5

how is sympathetic activation communicated

Answer 5

by electrical activity of the sympathetic nerve

Question 6

what happens in sympathetic activation

Answer 6

release of NE directly on target organs

Question 7

what are the results of sympathetic activation

Answer 7

• increased HR, vasoconstriction, and sodium water retention lead to higher BP an better circulation to skeletal muscle,
• glycogenolysis and gluconeogensis and lipolysis make more nutrients available
• bronchial dilation results in more O2 intake
• pupil dilation allows more sensory information to be sent to the brain
• reduced digestion and bladder relaxation direct resources and attention to the stressor

Question 8

what type of innervation is the sympathetic innervation of blood vessels of skeletal muscle

Answer 8

cholinergic

Question 9

what happens in adrenal activation

Answer 9

sympathetic nerve activates adrenal medulla to release epinephrine into blood circulation

Question 10

what is the difference between epinephrine and norepinephrine

Answer 10

has same adaptive effects as norepinephrine but norepinephrine weans quickly and epinephrine lasts longer

Question 11

what are the two “molecules” that facilitate HPA axis activation

Answer 11

glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids

Question 12

what do glucocorticoids do

Answer 12

break down proteins, fatty acids and glycogen; glycogenesis, vasoconstriction, immunosuppression

Question 13

what do mineralocorticoids do

Answer 13

sodium and water retention to increase blood pressure and blood volume

Question 14

what is the purpose of HPA axis activation

Answer 14

not meant to extend stress response, but glucocorticoids increase the breakdown of muscle protein which in long term will weaken fight or flight responses

Question 15

what do sympathetic activity and epinephrine prevent

Answer 15

breakdown of muscle protein

Question 16

what does an adrenalectomy do

Answer 16

removes cortisol release and increases sympathetic activity

Question 17

what is the pathway of cortisol release

Answer 17

hypothalamus -> CRH - > anterior pituitary -> ACTH -> adrenal cortex -> cortisol -> target tissue -> response

Question 18

what role does the sympathetic nervous system play in the stress response

Answer 18

the initiator- rapid and adaptive

Question 19

what role does the adrenal medulla play in the stress response

Answer 19

releases epinephrine, the reinforcement, to keep the response going

Question 20

what roles does the HPA axis play in the stress response

Answer 20

1. provides metabolic support for stress responses
2. provides metabolic support for repair and building
3. ends stress response when the stressor is neutralized-terminator
4. re-gains homeostasis and returns the system to its normal state

Question 21

what are the mental symptoms of PTSD

Answer 21

• avoidance
• intrusive memories
• cognitive and mood disorders
• changes in physical and emotional reactions

Question 22

what are cortisol and E/NE levels like in normal acute or chronic stress responses

Answer 22

they are all elevated

Question 23

what are cortisol, CRH, and E/NE levels like in PTSD

Answer 23

E/NE and CRH levels are elevated but cortisol is reduced

Question 24

what are some genetic influences in PTSD

Answer 24

1. monozygotic twins have significant higher concordance for PTSD than dizygotic twins
2. genes associated with HPA axis are associated with PTSD

Question 25

what are some epigenetic influences on PTSD

Answer 25

1. changes to the genome but not the DNA sequence- DNA methylation and histone methylation/acetylation
2. methylation decrease gene expression; acetylation increases gene expression
3. early experience may alter the genome epigenetically, conferring PTSD susceptibility