Other non pharmacological treatments Flashcards
what is deep brain stimulation?
involves the implantation of electrodes which are connected to a surgically implanted generator that delivers electrical stimulation to the ventral striatum - been found to have functional dysregulation in depression
the ventral striatum is connectionally associated with what structures?
limbic structures
what is psychotherapy?
reduces stressors and negative thinking, the abnormal activity of the neurotransmitters indicated in depression and the stress response can be reduced, which aids in more normal functioning of BDNF, neurotransmission, neuroendocrine abnormalities and reduction/prevention of neuroanatomical changes in depression
psychotherapy may be helpful for what kind of patient?
pt with a Hx of childhood adversity or recent stress
what kind of treatment is psychotherapy?
in the acute phase of Tx, combined with medication - has grown and now may be considered first line Tx for mild to moderate depressed outpatients
has vagal nerve and transcranial magnetic stimulation approved for Tx?
yes. it is approved for tx of MDD
- deep brain stimulation is still under experimental investigation
what is transcranial magnetic stimulation?
involves stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex by using weak electric currents which are induced in the tissue by rapidly changing magnetic fields or electromagnetic induction
in transcranial magnetic stimulation, brain activity can be triggered in what cortex and why?
prefrontal cortex. bc it has decreased volume and activity in depression
when does light therapy produce no change?
when people are not seasonally depressed
what is light therapy?
uses artificial light to influence the production of melatonin and the function of the catecholamine systems, the artificial light triggers a shift in the patients circadian rhythm to an earlier time
what is the benefit to light therapy?
exposure to this light source has produced improvement and relief of depressive symptoms for many seasonally depressed people
what is melatonin?
is a hormone that is produced by the pineal gland and thought to regulate the sleep wake cycle - possibly circadian rhythm
what is vagal nerve stimulation?
involves using an implanted stimulator that sends electric impulses to the left vagus nerve in the neck via a lead wire implanted under the skin
how does vagal nerve stimulation have antidepressant properties?
its effects on the locus coeruleus, an area in the brain stem from which norepinephrine neurons originate
when are all of these alternative non pharmalogical treatments used?
for cases of depression that do not respond to meds on. ECT
