Pathophys of Anxiety and Depressive Disorders

Question 1

What personality trait often contributes to mood disorders?

Answer 1

Neuroticism

Question 2

What is the role of the
1. Hypothalamus
2. Periaqueductal grey
3. Locus Coeruleus
4. Striatum
in the fight-flight-freeze reaction?

Answer 2

1. Endocrine response that leads to the adrenals releasing cortisol, neural response activating SNS
2. Freeze response
3. NE release
4. Complex motor response

Question 3

Problems with the monoamine theory of depression

Answer 3

No good experimental evidence
Biochemical effects are almost instantaneous, but clinical effects take days-weeks
Serotonin or NE/DA depletion leads to relapse in AD treated patients but doesn’t induce depression in healthy subjects
Antidepressants not effective in all patients

Question 4

How is the HPA axis involved in depression

Answer 4

Hyperactivitiy
Impaired negative feedback
Enhanced cortisol secretion