Lecture 14: Neuroanatomical models of affective disorders

Question 1

Do models of neuroanatomical models of affective disorders provide specific explanations for each disorder?

Answer 1

No, they use the same neuroanatomical structures and psychological functions across different disorders

Question 2

How do neuroanatomical models of affective disorders explain the differences between mood states and traits?

Answer 2

These are not adequately modelled yet. This is one of the main critiques.

Question 3

According to the neurocircuitry (neuroanatomical) of mood disorders model, what is the role of the medial frontal cortex?

Answer 3

• Related to self-reference or the default system.

- Critique: neuroimaging shows that the medial frontal cortex is also activated when thinking of others

Question 4

Name some key brain structures relevant to social and emotional functioning

Answer 4

• Brodmann Area 10
• Right anterior temporal lobe
• Ventral medial prefrontal cortex
• Amygdala
• Limbic forebrain structures: hippocampus, orbitofrontal cortex, hypothalamus, septal region

Question 5

What type of study design gives more information for fMRI studies?

Answer 5

Longitudinal

Question 6

Name some challenges / difficulties of fMRI studies

Answer 6

• Comorbidity is hard to control
• Small sample sizes (fMRIs are expensive)
• Reliability is often not established and varies depending on design