Psychiatric genetics

Question 1

Genetic inheritance of Huntington’s

Answer 1

Autosomal dominant

Question 2

Which gene is responsible in Huntingtons. What does it do?

Answer 2

Huntingtin

Codes for Huntingtin protein- CAG triplet (Glutamine) repeat

Question 3

What does more CAG repeats cause

Answer 3

Longer glutamine chains in protein causes huntingtin protein to be misshapen.

Causes gradual damage to brain cells.

Question 4

Psychiatric symptoms of Huntingtons?

Answer 4

Depression
Compulsion
Suicidal
Aggressive
Blunted affect
Psychosis
Anxiety
Depression

Question 5

Cognitive symptoms of Huntington’s?

Answer 5

Decline in executive function

Short and long term memory deficit

Dementia

Question 6

Motor symptoms of Huntington’s?

Answer 6

Choreiform movement

Writhing movement

Gait disturbance

Speech/chewing/swallowing problems

Rigidity

ie all actions requiring muscle control become impaired

Question 7

What is a choreiform movement?

Answer 7

a brief irreglar non-repetitive movement.

Question 8

Features of Huntington’s?

Answer 8

Usually asymptomatic until adulthood

Irreversible and unstoppable

Only symptomatic treatment

V easy genetic test

Question 9

Prominent symptoms of Alzheimers?

Answer 9

Short term memory (learning new things hard)

facts and memories from a long time ago

Dysphasia

Dyspraxia

Agnosia

Mood symptoms

Question 10

Risk of Alzheimers if one 1st degree relative affected?

Answer 10

25%

Question 11

recurrence of BPAD in monozygotic twins?

Answer 11

57%

Question 12

Recurrence of BPAD in dizygotic twins?

Answer 12

14%