Neurobiology of Mood Disorders

Question 1

What part of the brain mediates relative reward preference/rule learning?

Answer 1

Orbitofrontal cortex

Question 2

What ascending neurochemical system is part of the defensive system?

Answer 2

Seratonin

Question 3

What is the function of the appetitive/approach system in the brain?

Answer 3

To mediate seeking and approach behaviour (eg pleasure)

Question 4

What is the function of the aversive/defensive system?

Answer 4

To promote survival in the event of threat/pain.

Question 5

What ascending neurochemical system is part of the appetitive/approach system?

Answer 5

Dopamine

Question 6

Is the hippocampus associated with the aversive or appetitive system in the brain?

Answer 6

Aversive

Question 7

What is the lifetime prevalence of depression?

Answer 7

16%

Question 8

What does the 5HTT gene code for?

Answer 8

Seratonin transporter

Question 9

Is it the long or short allelle of the 5HTT gene that gives a higher risk of depression?

Answer 9

Short.

Question 10

In major depression do you get increased or decreased secretion of ACTH?

Answer 10

Increased

Question 11

In major depression do you get increased or decreased levels of cortisol?

Answer 11

Increased

Question 12

What two cortexes are the limbic motor and sensory cortices that engender the feeling and motivation associated with emotion?

Answer 12

Anterior insular cortex

Anterior cingulate cortex

Question 13

List 6 areas in the brain in which abnormalities are linked to depression

Answer 13

Ventromedial prefrontal cortex 
Orbital prefrontal cortex
 Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
 Anterior cingulate cortex 
Amygdala 
Hippocampus

Question 14

Is the ascending dopamine system part of the appetitive or aversive system?

Answer 14

Appetivie

Question 15

What is meant by the appetitive system?

Answer 15

The system functions to mediate pleasure seeking and approach behaviours

Question 16

What is meant by the aversise system?

Answer 16

Function to promote ssurvavival in the event of threat.

Question 17

Which part of the brain is thought to be responsible for relative reward preference and rule learning?

Answer 17

Orbitofrontal cortec

Question 18

Describe how the Cortisol axis is altered in major depressive disorder?

Answer 18

• Increased secretion of ACTH causing increased secretion of cortisol
• Less of a response to CRH (less ACTH released in response to CRH_
• Failure to supress cortisol after a bolus of dexamethasone

Question 19

What two hormonal pathways are thought to be affected by major depressive disorder?

Answer 19

Thyroid

Cortisol