Psychobiology of Bipolar Flashcards
Define Bipolar disorder (BPD)
Cyclic disorder, recurrent fluctuations in mood, episodes of mania and deperssion persist for months without treatment.
Euthymia
The normal fluctuations of highs and lows
Dysthymia
A depressed episode that does not meet the full criteria for a depressed episode
Mania
the most florid expression of elevated mood
Hypomania
Elevated mood that does not meet the full criteria for a manic episode
Cyclothymia
Mood swings that are larger than the normal fluctuations of mood but do not meet criteria for the extremes
What common perception of bipolar is there that is completely wrong?
That people cycle quickly. Many people have only four episodes during the first ten years of their life and may have normal moods in between.
Bipolar I disorder defined
patients experience manic or mixed episodes and USUALLY depressive episodes too, but not always (often called unipolar mania. No attic sometimes no basement.
Bipolar II disorder defined
Patients experience hypomanic or depressive episodes but NOT manic or mixed episodes. Some attic, no basement “sunken cyclothymia”
Although there is very little known about bipolar its causes in the neural system what has been recently found?
decreased connectivity between the amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex. and increased connectivity between the amygdala and the supplemental motor area.
What effect does Lithium have that valporic acid does not?
Lithium has been shown to stimulate BDNF synthesis which then shows increases in total gray matter volume.
What are non pharmacologic interventions for bipolar?
Education, psychotherapy, and LAST resort electroconvulsive therapy (symptoms that are life threatening only)
Which two drugs are preferred for acute management of manic episodes?
Lithium and Valporic acid
The only type of mania in which Lithium is the preferred choice?
Euphoric mania
If a patient has just started on lithium or valproate and they need help with symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, and/or agitation until the mood stabilizer for mild mania takes full effect what can be done?
benzodiazepine such as Ativan may be adequate
If a patient has just started on lithium or valproate and they need help with symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, and/or agitation until the mood stabilizer for major mania takes full effect what can be done?
Antipsychotic such as olanzapine or risperidone are good choices
Short term therapy for mania is?
antiepileptic mood stabilizer such as lithium or valporate
Short term therapy for depressive episodes?
mood stabilizer alone or mood stabilizer plus an antidepressant
Why should you never treat bipolar depressive episodes with an antidepressant alone?
Because hypomania or mania may result
What are the preferred antidepressants to be used in conjunction with a mood stabilizer?
bupropion, venlafaxine, or an SSRI