Mood Disorders

Question 1

what is the appetitive network in the brain

Answer 1

the reward system -mediates seeking and approach behaviours (for pleasurable things)

Question 2

what does the appetitive network involve

Answer 2

ascending dopamine systems 
mesolimbic/cortico projections 
dorsal striatum 
amygdala 
anterior cingulate 
orbitofrontal cortex

Question 3

what does the amygdala do

Answer 3

involved in conditioning/learning

Question 4

what is the main neurotransmitter in the appetitive network

Answer 4

serotonin

Question 5

what is the aversive system

Answer 5

system which promotes survival in the event of threat (fear/pain)

Question 6

what does the averse system involve

Answer 6

Ascending serotonin systems 
NA/CRF/peptide transmitters 
central nucleus of amygdala 
hippocampus 
hypothalamus 
periaqueductal grey matter

Question 7

what is depression

Answer 7

altered sensitivity/accuracy of brain systems evaluating rewards and cues predicting reward within the environment

Question 8

what is anxiety

Answer 8

altered sensitivity/accuracy of brain systems evaluating threat and cues predicting threat in the environment

Question 9

why are mood disorders recurrant

Answer 9

• abnormal brain development
• genetic component
• endocrine/metabolic causes
• adverse life effects
• psychological resilience/lack of
• cultural aspects

Question 10

which neurotransmitters are deficient in depression

Answer 10

serotonin
noradrenaline
dopamine
GABA

Question 11

neurotransmitters in excess in depression

Answer 11

Acetylcholine
Substance P
Corticotrophin. releasing hormone (stress hormone)

Question 12

what pathways become v acivite in stressful situations

Answer 12

pathway linking amygdala and cortex

Question 13

what happens to serotonin in depression

Answer 13

low serotonin causes decrease in binding to receptors in the cortex

also reduction in reuptake sites due to low serotonin

Question 14

what happens noradrenaline in depression

Answer 14

decrease neurotransmission leading to anergia, anhedonia and decreased libido

Question 15

what happens to dopamine in depression

Answer 15

hypoactive D1 receptor increases binding of D2/D3 receptors in striatal regions

Question 16

what happens to GABA in depression

Answer 16

reduction in GABA in plasma and CSF

GABA unregulated by antidepressants

GABA makes you feel relaxed, reduction = stress feeling

Question 17

what happens to the hypothalamic pituitary axis in depression

Answer 17

HPA is unregulated with a down regulation of its negative feedback controls

Corticotrophin releasing factor is secreted from the hypothalamus, this induces adrenocorticotrophin hormone (ACTH) from pituitary

ACTH causes release of cortisol from adrenal glands

this has a number of effects including elevation of blood glucose and negative feedback to HPA

Question 18

true or false, serotonin function is abnormal before, during and after episodes of depression

Answer 18

true

Question 19

what happens to noradrenaline in epilepsy

Answer 19

decrease/deficiency

vulnerable depressed individuals feel v stressed in non-stressful situations which depletes noradrenaline stores

Question 20

what causes loss of pleasure/interest in depression

Answer 20

hypo function of the dopamine system

Question 21

what happens to neurotransmitters in mania

Answer 21

also decrease in serotonin

GABA deficit