Psych neurobiology

Question 1

What are the 2 main psychological systems in the brain and what is their overall functions ?

Answer 1

1. Appetitive/approach systems - function to mediate seeking and approach behaviours including pleasure
2. Aversive/ defensive systems - function to promote survival in the event of a threat (fear/pain) - this system inhibits the appetitive system

Question 2

What parts of the brain are involved in the appetitive system ?

Answer 2

• ascending dopamine systems – mesolimbic/corIcal projection
• ventral striatum - involved with reward
• dorsal striatum (movement) - involved in movement
• amygdala (conditioning / learning)
• anterior cingulate (attention / conflict / response selection and cognitive process and emotional process
• orbitofrontal cortex (relaIve reward preference / rule learning)

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Question 3

What does the aversive system consist of ?

Answer 3

• Endogenous opiods (kappa)
• Ascending seritonin
• Noradrenaline
• Central nucleus of amygdala
• Hippocampus - associated with long-term memory
• Periaqeductal grey matter - involved in pain

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Question 4

Describe the epidemiology of depression:

Who are most at risk males or females ?

What other risk factors increase the chances of developing depression?

What is the onset of depression associated with ?

Answer 4

• Females 2:1
• Associated with sig. disability and people with decreased QoL
• Increased risk of developing depression if a 1st degree relative is affected by major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder
• Also increased risk if dizygotic or monozygotic twin has it (basically points are saying there is a genetic aspect to depression)
• Adverse life experiences e.g. neglect increases chances

Question 5

What does depression often occur with?

Answer 5

Adverse life events e.g. separations, deaths (losses)

Question 6

What endocrine changes can often be seen in someone with depression ?

Answer 6

Basically often can cause increased CRH released ==> increased ACTH released ==> increased cortisol levels and subsequent adrenal hypertrophy

50-70% on dexamethasone suppression test fail to suppression cortisol

Question 7

What abnormality on brain imaging can be seen in depression ?

Answer 7

Decreased hippocampal volume

Question 8

What does the decreased hippocampal volume in depression cause ?

Answer 8

Decreased cognitive function (hence depression people have problems with concentration)

They get a deficit in visual memory function

Question 9

What structural abnormality is seen on imaging the brain in bipolar disorder ?

Answer 9

Decreased grey matter volume, esp affecting broadmann area 24 (the anterior cingulate

Question 10

What abnormalities can be seen on functional imaging of someones brain with bipolar disorder ?

Answer 10

• Increased metabolism in amygdala
• Decreased metabolism in ortibofrontal cortex and medial ventral prefrontal cortex