Neurobiology Flashcards
which gene codes for serotonin transporter
5HTT
Function of adverse/defensive system
promote survival in the event of threat
which neurotransmitter is involved in the adverse/defensive system
serotonin
function of the appetitive/approach system
to mediate seeking and approach behaviours
which neurotransmitter is involved in the appetitive/approach system
dopamine
what neurotransmitter is over active in schizophrenia
dopamine
which neurotransmitter is low in depression
serotonin
what are the 4 main dopaminergic systems in the brain
substantia nigra
tuberoinfundibular
mesocortical
mesolimbic
what is the substantia nigra system responsible for
movement
what happens if dopamine is blocked in substantia nigra
Parkinsonism
what is tuberoinfundibulnar system responsible for
prolactin
what happens if tuberoinfundibulnar system is blocked
hyperprolactin
what is mesocortical system responsible for
motivation + emotion
what is mesolimbic system responsible for
reward
mechanism of psychosis
overactivity of dopamine in mesocortical + mesolimbic systems
what happens in relation to dopamine in depression
mesolimbic blockade
main inhibitory neurotransmitter
GABA
main excitory neurotransmitter
glutamate
how does extreme depression affect cortisol
increased ACTH
increased secretion of cortisol
enlarged adrenal glands
dexamethasone suppression test findings in severe depression
50-70% do not suppress cortisol
how does extreme depression affect thyroid axis
increased TRH
TSH réponse to TRH is blunted
brain changes in depression
smaller frontal lobes
decreased hippocampal volume
brain changes in schizophrenia
ventricular enlargement
reduced frontal lobe + grey matter volume
why is there reduced grey matter in schizophrenia
DECREASED SYNAPSES
- not less neurones
brain changes during a panic attack
increased metabolism in parahippocampal gyrus
brain changes in social anxiety
increased amydgala activity
