Physiological Disorders

Question 1

Antagonist vs agonist

Answer 1

Antagonist – drug that blocks neurotransmitter
Agonist - drug that mimics or increases effect

Question 2

Affinity v efficacy

Answer 2

Affinity – tendency to bind to a receptor
Efficacy – tendency to activate the receptor

Question 3

Genetic influence Alcoholism:

Answer 3

associated with variation in ADH1B and ALDH2. Involved in metabolism of ethanol into acetaldehyde

Question 4

Generic Influence dopamine

Answer 4

Variation of DRD2 gene reduces activity in dopaminergic system

Question 5

Nucleus accumbens:

Answer 5

increased dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens reinforces experiences

Question 6

Type 1 v type 2 alcoholism

Answer 6

• Type 1 alcoholism: late onset
• Type 2: early onset

• Family history, stress and cortisol

Question 7

Dopamine receptors

Answer 7

Dopamine: D3 Receptors involved in addiction

o Distributed throughout reward systems
o High affinity to endogenous dopamine
o Upregulation in those with addiction
o D3 antagonists may help prevent relapse

Question 8

Cravings:

Answer 8

insistent search for activity, abstinence increases sensitivity to addictive substances and visual cues can trigger a craving

Question 9

Tolerance –

Answer 9

decrease in effect as an addiction develops. Tolerance is learned, can be weakened

Question 10

Treatments

Answer 10

• Cognitive-behaviour therapy
• Contingency management (rewards for being drug free)
• Deep brain stimulation
• Medication (e.g. antabuse results in nausea after drinking, may be a deterrent)

Question 11

Monoamine hypothesis:

Answer 11

decreased concentration of monoamines (serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine in the synapse causes depression)

Question 12

Example of Genetic influence varying within environment

Answer 12

short form of the serotonin transporter gene influences reaction to stressful events

Question 13

Hemispheric dominance:

Answer 13

brain activity associated with depression:

Question 14

Hemispheric dominance cortex involved

Answer 14

Left prefrontal cortex: decreased activity (processes positive emotions, decision making and anticipation of joy and pleasure)
• Right prefrontal cortex: increased activity. (processes negative emotions, response to fear-based stimuli and promotes self-reflective cognition)

Question 15

Tricyclics

Answer 15

block transporter proteins that reabsorb serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine into presynaptic neuron. Blocks histamine , acetylcholine receptors and certain sodium channels (side effects including drowsiness, dry mouth, heart irregularities

Question 16

SSRI/SNRI/NRI

Answer 16

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, block reuptake of serotonin and based on serotonergic deficit hypothesis), SNRIs (Block reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine) and NRIs (block reuptake of norepinephrine).

Question 17

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Answer 17

block the enzyme oxidase. Results in more transmitters in the presynaptic terminal available for release. Side effects: dry mouth, nausea, insomnia and dizziness.

Question 18

Atypical antidepressant drugs

Answer 18

include a misc group of drugs with antidepressant effects and milder side effects. EG bupropion (inhibits reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, but not serotonin) and Trazodone (serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor)

Question 19

New substances

Answer 19

include Ketamine – antagonises NMDA type glutamate receptors, produces rapid antidepressant effects, not suitable (produces delusions and hallucinations) but may lead to something similar. Research suggests increases BDNF

Question 20

Why are antidepressants effective?

Answer 20

• People with depression have lower than average brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). As a result, people with depression show smaller hippocampus, impaired learning and reduced production of hippocampal neurons.
• Antidepressants may act by increasing BDNF.

Question 21

CBT and exercise

Answer 21

Appears to influence abnormal activity in the ACC, VLPFC, DLPFC, amygdala an hippocampus

Question 22

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Answer 22

o Electrically induced seizure for treatment o For patience who have not responded to medication
o Side effects include memory impairment
o High risk of relapse without continued treatment
o Mechanisms: May increase BDNF and promote neural development in hippocampus Recent research suggests no change to BDNF

Question 23

Categories of antidepressants

Answer 23

• tricyclics
• SSRI/SNRI/NRI
• MOAI
• atypical
• new substance