PHARM - Drugs Used to Treat Depression and Bipolar Disorders - Week 9 Flashcards
What are affective disorders?
Those which influence affect or mood
What happens with mood swings?
Extreme elation and hyperexcitability to extreme melancholia and withdrawal
Do unipolar/major depression have manic episodes?
No
What are the two kinds of unipolar/major depression? Are their causes known?
Reactive - known cause
Endogenous - no known/apparent cause
What are the two kinds of mood disorders?
Unipolar
Bipolar
What are three neurotransmitters implicated in mood?
Noradrenaline
Serotonin
Dopamine
What are mood disorders characterised by?
Longlasting changes to mood
What are 6 symptoms of depression?
Intense sadness/despair
Diminished interest/pleasure in daily life
Loss of concentration
Sleep disturbance
Anorexia
Disruption to normal rhythm
List three psychological risk factors for mood disorders.
Early parental loss
Childhood abuse
Stressful life events
List three biological risk factors for mood disorders.
Hormonal
Genetic
Biochemical (monoamines)
Describe the monoamine theory of depression.
Drugs that interfere with monoaminergic transmission influence mood.
Depletion results in depression.
Do drugs that elevate mood make good antidepressants? Explain (3).
No as they can cause dependence (dopamine related) and toxicity
How long do antidepressants take to have effect?
2-6 weeks
Describe the action of cocaine on a neuron.
It blocks the uptake of noradrenaline by the neuron.
Describe the action of amphetamine on a neuron.
Forces the release of noradrenaline
List two 1st generation unipolar antidepressant drugs.
Tricyclic antidepressants
Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
List two 2nd generation unipolar antidepressant drugs.
Selective serotonin uptake inhibitors
Selective serotonin/noradrenaline uptake inhibitors