Neurobiology of Mood

Question 1

What is the function appetitive/approach mood systems in the brain?

Answer 1

Behave in a way to seek pleasurable factors/things that will benefit us

Question 2

What is the function of aversive/defensive mood systems in the brain?

Answer 2

Behave in a way to avoid adversity and threats to our survival

Question 3

Which chemical is generally associated with appetitive/approach behaviour?

Answer 3

Dopamine

Question 4

Which chemical is generally associated with aversive/defensive behaviour?

Answer 4

Serotonin

Question 5

There is an increase in aversive behaviour in mania/hypomania. True/False?

Answer 5

False

Increase in aversive behaviour in depression; increase in appetitive behaviour in mania

Question 6

Cortisol is low in depressed people. True/False?

Answer 6

False

Cortisol typically elevated

Question 7

List the key regions of the brain implicated in mood disorders

Answer 7

Orbital + ventromedial prefrontal cortex
Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Hippocampus
Amygdala
Anterior cingulate cortex

Question 8

What is the effect of major depression on hippocampal volume?

Answer 8

Decrease in hippocampal volume