Mental Health and Behavioural Disorders Flashcards
What systems are activated in response to stress?
SNS and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis
What impact does chronic stress have?
Loss of muscle mass, nitrogen depletion, immune system suppression (decrease in T cells and their production), CVD wear and tear (with ongoing catecholamine surge)
Where are catecholamines produced?
Adrenal medulla (released by Chromaffin cells)
What does the body do in response to stress (real or perceived)?
Hypothalamus releases CRH, causes anterior pituitary to release ACTH, acts on the cortex to secrete cortisol AND aldosterone, medulla to release catecholamines
What happens to the feedback loop as a result of chronic stress?
Negative feedback loop becomes blunted, more cortisol and catecholamines released= wear and tear
What impacts does stress have on the brain?
Impairs hippocampal function (decreases volume, impairs short-term memory, alters regulation of stress response). Can lead to hippocampal atrophy and atrophy of neurons
What are the components of a neuron?
Dendrites (collects electrical signals), cell body (integrates incoming signals and generates outgoing signal to axon), axon (passes electrical signals to axon terminals), axon terminals (release neurotransmitters onto effector cells)
What are the four lobes of the brain and their functions?
Frontal (higher order, personality/behaviour, speech, planning, movement), parietal (somatosensation-pain, pressure, vibration), temporal (hearing), occipital (vision)
What is the role of the cerebellum?
Coordination of movement and balance
What are the functions of the brainstem?
Involuntary functions- breathing, arousal and sleep, eye movement
What is within the basal ganglia?
Caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra
What are some of the functions of the basal ganglia?
Initiation and regulation of movement
What are some of the functions of the hippocampus?
Learning and memory**
What are some of the functions of the thalamus?
Integrating center and relay station for sensory and motor function
What are some of the functions of the hypothalamus?
Homeostasis, behavioural drive
What structures are included in the limbic system?
Hippocampus, fornix, thalamus, amygdala, olfactory cortex, and cingulate gyrus
What are some of the functions of the limbic system?
Sets level of arousal, involved in motivation, reinforcing behaviours, regulates autonomic and endocrine function in response to emotional stimuli
How are neurotransmitters released?
Action potential reaches the axon terminal and activates Ca2+ channels, enters and stimulates exocytosis, neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft and bind with their receptors
How are neurotransmitters removed from the synaptic cleft?
Via diffusion, enzymatic digestion, reuptake
How are mental illnesses seperated?
Into alterations in thinking, mood, or behaviour
What is thought to contribute to MOST psychiatric disorders/mental illness?
Excessive CNS stimulation (except depression)
What are the three neurotransmitter systems?
Noradrenergic system, serotinergic system, dopaminergic system