Neuropsychobiological Issues Flashcards
Epigenetics
Process by which genetic transcription is influenced by environmental factors. Can be influenced by environmental forces, such as smoking, diet, toxins, pollutants stressful life events, medications or even therapeutic interventions (Yan, 2010). Leave unique epigenetic “signatures” on genes that can be temporary or permanent
Outline the perspectives on the development of aggression
Nativists claim aggression is an innate unchangeable part of us present from birth -> Might be able to re-direct our aggression into something constructive (e.g. sport, business, art) or “mask” (e.g., medication) but we can never get rid of it.
Nurturists claim aggression is learned -> If we can improve the circumstances in which people grow up (e.g. better parenting, tackle poverty, improve education, less violence in the media) then we can have a less violent society.
Interactionists accept that certain level of aggression may be unavoidable, but much can be done to reduce extreme aggression by improving people’s environments.
Outline the FOAD hypothesis
Adverse intrauterine environmental exposures affect a fetus’ development during sensitive periods, increasing the risk of specific diseases in adult life.
Outline the research to develop the FOAD hypothesis
First studies: adverse nutrition prenatally as measured by birth weight increased susceptibility to metabolic syndrome later in life
Subsequent studies: implications extend beyond low birth weight/ malnourished population to other chronic conditions including where babies exposed to prenatal stress
Implications: Essential shift in our understanding of determinants for health with vast implications for healthcare prevention and management
Outline the Fetal programming hypothesis
Proposes these diseases originate through adaptations the fetus makes when exposed to certain intrauterine conditions, may be vascular, metabolic or endocrine but permanently change the function/structure of the body in adult life
What role does the HPA axis play in the Fetal programming hypothesis
Mediating role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal or HPA axis. Hormones pass through the placenta and influence baby’s own developing hypothalamic regulatory genes -> results in “fetal programming” in utero *Epigenetic mechanism
Outline the stress example of the Fetal programming hypothesis
cortisol crosses the placenta -> Infant HPA axis responds to maternal stress hormones -> Leads to adaptive response from fetus with lasting consequences for behaviour/neurobiology -> Changes in structure of the prefrontal cortex and amygdala and function of neural systems responsible for infant regulation -> Modest evidence optimal caregiving can attenuate negative effects of fetal programming of stress response -> caregiver response and coregulation of infant negative affect is crucial (c.f. Michael Meaney rat study)
Evaluation of the fetal programming hypothesis
Calls for a broader “life-course perspective”
- Study of long-term effects of physical and social exposures during gestation and across the lifespan on chronic disease risk
- Timing of exposure variables, as well as how they interact, is considered vitally important.
outline the bio, psycho and social factors in anxiety
“Bio” – Child’s biological father and paternal grandmother both suffer from Generalised Anxiety Disorder (i.e. possesses genetic predisposition for anxiety)
“Psychological” – Child has highly perfectionistic tendencies
“Social” – Child attends high performing academically geared high school that promotes extreme competitiveness between students and encounters bullying when not performing as well as peers
what is the greatest risk to prenatal development and when
exposure to teratogens during the embryonic period (implantation -> 8 weeks)
outline the prenatal developmental germinal and embryonic periods
- Conception
- Zygote - a fertilised egg
- Germinal period - first twp weels after conception
- Embryonic period - weeks three through eight after conception
- Fetal period - two months after conception until birth
What is a teratogen and what does it’s impact depends on
Any agent that causes a birth defect. The impact depends on dosage and duration of exposure, genetic make up of unborn child and mother, other aspects of environment, timing of exposure (critical periods is organogenesis)
What is a teratogen and what does it’s impact depends on
Any agent that causes a birth defect. The impact depends on dosage and duration of exposure, genetic make-up of unborn child and mother, other aspects of the environment, the timing of exposure (critical periods is organogenesis)
The term Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) was coined as an “umbrella” term, as opposed to diagnosis, to encompass the diagnostic categories of:
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder and Alcohol-Related Birth Defects
What is the cause of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
- When alcohol is consumed during pregnancy, it passes through the placenta and enters the bloodstream of unborn babies.
- This can affect brain development in unborn babies
- Effects not uniform (Not linearly associated with alcohol quantity, Moderated by genetic and environmental variables)
What are the increased risk of FASD with increased duration of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE)
- Drinking in all three trimesters -> elevated FASD likehood by 65 times.
- Drinking in first and second trimester -> elevated FASD likelihood by 61 times
- Drinking only in first trimester vs all three trimesters -> child 5 times less likely to develop FASD
- First trimester drinking (vs. no drinking) -> elevated FASD likelihood by 12 times
On average, IQ scores of children with PAE fall ____ standard deviations below mean
2 standard deviations below the mean
What are the common functioning problems of children with PAE
Executive functioning problems including cognition-based difficulties and emotion-related difficulties
Outline the relationship between internalising and externalising symptoms and FASD
higher incidences of internalising and externalising symptoms in children diagnosed with FASD than no FASD, as well as higher problem behaviour scores in children with PAE across parent, teacher and self-report measures
Why should FASD be a major public health priority
- few accurate data
- 2% of all babies born with FASD
- general agreement of prevalence is severely underestimated
- 1 in 67 women consuming alcohol during pregnancy would deliver a child with FASD
- prevalence may be as higher in vulnerable communities
Outline the signs and symptoms of FASD
cognitive symptoms: learning difficulties, intellectual disability, poor memory, difficulty communicating
behaviour signs: impulsive, anxiety, depression, poor organisation, acts like a younger child
physical signs: small eyes, thin upper lip, smooth philtrum, small head, poor coordination, poor fine motor skills, slow growth and development
Why is FAS under-recognised and often undiagnosed
lacking awareness on how to diagnose and where to refer, limited training opportunities, few professionals ask the right questions, concern about stigmatising families
What is involved in FASD assessment
a multidisciplinary team including a paediatrician, occupational therapist, speech therapist and psychologist.
Who developed the treatment guidelines for FASD
developed by the FASD centre for excellence, substance abuse and mental health services (SAMHS)
What are the guidelines for treatment?
- Strong emphasis on identification of at risk pregnancies and intervening for prevention, versus treatment, for individuals with a FASD
- General recommendations similar to those for neurodiverse children: concrete, and specific language, consistency, repetition, good routines and structure, avoiding over-stimulation, diligent supervision
What is the role of psychologists in treatment of FASD
1) Managing challenging behaviours through Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
2) Supporting emotion regulation and social skills development -> example strategies:
3) Providing emotional support
4) Addressing other mental health concerns, e.g. ADHD/depression/anxiety
Outline Engel and Romano’s bio psychosocial model of human health
To understand a person’s medical condition it is critical to consider the biological, psychological and social factors contributing to that condition, as well as the complex interactions between them
What are the criticisms of the bio psychosocial model of human health
- Lacks specific content, is too general and vague;
- Lacks scientific validity and philosophical coherence
