Physiological Psych & Psychopharmacology Flashcards
The 2 types of cells in the nervous system
Glial Cells and Neurons
What are the parts of a neuron
Dendrites, cell body/soma, axon
What is the space between the axon and receptor
Synapse
what part of the neuron transmits info to the post synaptic cells?
Axon
What is the myelin sheath made of
glial cells
What is multiple sclerosis
destruction of the myelin sheath and a malfunctioning immune system that destroys the myelin; sxs include impaired vision, pain, fatigue, impaired coordination, slurred speech, tremor
Chemicals that transfer info from the presynaptic neuron to the post synaptic neuron
Neurotransmitters
Increases the likelihood that action potential will occur in the post synaptic cell
Excitatory effect of a neurotransmitter
Decreases the likelihood that action potential will occur in the post synaptic cell
Inhibitory effect of a neurotransmitter
The electrical impulse that travels the length of a cell and responsible for the release of a neurotransmitter into the synapse
action potential
All or Nothing responses that either occur or don’t occur when a neuron gets sufficient stimulation from the presynaptic neuron
Action potential
Mimic or increase effects of a neurotransmitter at receptors
Agonist
Produce effects similar to (but weaker than) the effects of agonist or neurotransmitter at receptors
Partial Agonists
Bind to the same receptors as a neurotransmitter or agonist, but produce effects that are opposite of a neurotransmitter or agonists
Inverse Agonist
Produce no effects on their own but block or reduce the effects of a neurotransmitter or agonist at the receptor
Antagonists
The Central Nervous System is made up of
The brain and spinal cord
The brain is divided into what 3 parts
forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain
This is the most primitive part of the brain
Hindbrain; contains medulla, pons, and cerebellum
Most complex & largest part of the brain
Forebrain; contains cortical and subcortical structure
Consists of sensory and motor neurons that are located outside of the central nervous system
Peripheral Nervous System
What is divided into the somatic and autonomic nervous systems?
Peripheral Nervous System
Transmits info from body’s sensory receptors to the central nervous system and from the central nervous system to the skeletal muscles; Responsible for voluntary actions
Somatic Nervous System
Responsible for actions that tend to be involuntary; transmits info between the central nervous system and smooth muscles of the organs and glands
Autonomic Nervous System
This consists of the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches
Autonomic Nervous System
Responsible for fight or flight responses to a stressful event; it causes pupil dilitation, sweating, increased heart rate and increased respiratory rates. Inhibits sexual activity and digestion
Sympathetic Branch of the Autonomic Nervous System
Responsible for rest, relaxation, and energy conservation. Causes the body to return to pre-emergency state after fight or flight response
Parasympathetic branch of the Autonomic Nervous System
Parts of the Hindbrain
Medulla, Pons, Cerebellum
Regulates autonomic nervous system functions necessary for survival including respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, and digestive processes. Also regulates reflexes including coughing, swallowing, sneezing.Damage here can result in death
Medulla
Connects the 2 halves of the cerebellum. Connects medulla to cerebellum and the cerebellum to the forebrain. Involved in arousal, regulation of deep sleep and REM sleep, and regulation of respiration. Coordinates inhalation and exhalation
Pons
Coordinates complex voluntary movements initiated in motor cortex. Responsible for maintaining posture and balance. Important for storing and processing procedural memory such as walking, driving, and riding a bike as well as reciting alphabet and multiplication tables
Cerebellum
Damage causes ataxia (impaired balance and coordination, slurred speech, and blurred/double vision)
Cerebellum
Midbrain consists of
Reticular Formation (which contains Reticular Activating System) and Substantia Nigra
Has network of neurons that extends from medulla to midbrain and alerts the cerebral cortex to incoming sensory signals. Mediates behavioral arousal and consciousness, controls sleep/wake cycle. Damage here causes coma
Reticular Formation (which contains Reticular Activating System)
Diagnosis requires at least 1 manic episode that may or may not have been preceded or followed by one or more major depressive or hypomanic episodes
Bipolar I
Diagnosis requires at least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode
Bipolar II
Diagnosis requires numerous period of hypomanic sxs that don’t feet criteria for a hypomanic episode and numerous periods of depressive sxs that don’t meet criteria for major depressive episode
Cyclothymic Disorder
Diagnosis of Cyclothymic Disorder requires the presence of sxs for at least how long
2 years
Abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, increased activity or energy, and 3 or more sxs of mania for at least 4 consecutive days
Hypomania
1 of these 2 sxs must be present for a diagnosis of major depressive episode
Depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in all or most activities
Sxs have to be present for how long and cause significant distress or impairment to meet criteria for MDD
2 weeks
Cluster A Personality Disorders
Paranoid, Schizotypal, and Schizoid
Cluster B Personality Disorders
Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, And Narcissistic
Cluster C Personality Disorders
Avoidant, Dependent, and OCPD
Which personality disorder cannot be diagnosed under the age of 18
Antisocial Personality Disorder
To be diagnosed with a personality disorder, sxs must be present for at least how long
1 year
Pervasive Pattern of Distrust and suspiciousness that interprets the motives of others as malevolent
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Must have 4/7 sxs:
-suspects w/o sufficient reason
-preoccupied with unjustifiable doubts about loyalty or trustworthiness of others
-reluctant to confide in others
-reads demanding content into benign comments
-persistently holds grudges
-perceives attacks on character and reputation and is quick to anger
Pervasive pattern of detachment from social rxs and a restricted range of emotional expression in interpersonal settings
Schizoid Personality Disorder
- Doesn’t desire or enjoy close relationships
-almost always chooses solitary activities
-has little or no interest in sexual relationships - takes pleasure in few activities
-Lacks close friend or confidants other than first degree relatives
-Appears to be indifferent to praise or criticism - Emotionally cold or detached or has flat affect
Schizoid Personality Disorder
Pervasive pattern of social and interpersonal deficits involving acute discomfort with a reduced capacity for close relationships, distortions in cognition, and perception, and eccentricities in bx
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
- Exhibits ideas of reference
- Odd believes or magical thinking that influence bx
- Has bodily illusions or other unusual perceptions
- Suspicious or has paranoid ideation
- Inappropriate or constricted affect
Peculiarities in bx and appearance - Lacks close friends or confidants other than first degree relatives
- Has excessive social anxiety that doesn’t diminish w/ familiarity
(may express unhappiness about lack of friends, but are uncomfortable around other people and usually interact with others only when necessary)
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Involves pervasive patterns of disregard for and violation of the rights of others
Antisocial Personality Disorder
- Fails to conform to social norms with respect to lawful bx
- Deceitful
- Impulsive and fails to plan ahead
- irritable and aggressive
- reckless disregard for the safety of self and others
- consistently irresponsible
- Lack of remorse
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Antisocial PD tends to be comorbid with what disorders
Substance use disorder is common; also mood disorder, borderline, and anxiety disorder
Must have a hx of conduct disorder before age 15 to meet criteria
Antisocial Personality Disorder
What intervention has received empirical support to treat Antisocial PD
No intervention has received consistent empirical support. This is one of the most difficult disorders to treat bc ppl with this disorder don’t believe they have a problem and rarely seek treatment; Some evidence for CBT, especially in groups to reduce re-offending, contingency management which reinforces desirable bxs, and pharmacological treatments to treat co-morbidities
Requires pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, affect, and marked impulsivity
Borderline Personality Disorder
Which personality disorders can remit or become less severe around age 40
Antisocial Personality Disorder (less criminal bx)
Borderline Personality Disorder (up to 75% no longer meet full diagnostic criteria by 40)
-engages in frantic bx to avoid abandonment
- has a pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships that involve fluctuation in idealization and devaluation
-identity disturbance that involves persistent instability in sense of self
-impulsive in at least 2 areas that are potentially self damaging
-has recurrent suicide threats or gestures or engages in self-mutilating bx
- Exhibits affective instability
-experiences chronic feelings of emptiness
-exhibits inappropriate anger
-transient stress related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative sxs
Borderline Personality Disorder