T2: MDD

Question 1

How prevalent are depressive disorders? (relates to learning outcome 1)

Question 2

What are the potential causes of major depressive disorder and what neurotransmitters are thought to be involved in the development of major depressive disorder? (relates to learning outcome 1)

Question 3

How is major depressive disorder diagnosed and what are the symptoms of major depressive disorder? (relates to learning outcomes 2 and 3)

Question 4

What pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options exist for major depressive disorder and when would they be implemented? (relates to learning outcome 7)

Question 5

What is the pharmacological rationale (including mechanism of action) and what are the possible adverse effects of each of the following medication classes used in the management of major depressive disorder? Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. amitripyline) and tetracyclic antidepressants (e.g. mirtazapine)

Question 6

What is the pharmacological rationale (including mechanism of action) and what are the possible adverse effects of each of the following medication classes used in the management of major depressive disorder? Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g. escitalopram and sertraline)

Question 7

What is the pharmacological rationale (including mechanism of action) and what are the possible adverse effects of each of the following medication classes used in the management of major depressive disorder? Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (e.g. desvenlafaxine and venlafaxine)

Question 8

What is the pharmacological rationale (including mechanism of action) and what are the possible adverse effects of each of the following medication classes used in the management of major depressive disorder? Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (e.g. moclobemide)

Question 9

What is the pharmacological rationale (including mechanism of action) and what are the possible adverse effects of each of the following medication classes used in the management of major depressive disorder? Miscellaneous antidepressants (e.g. agomelatine and reboxetine)

Question 10

6. Why do antidepressants take at least a week (and more likely 3-4 weeks) in order to have a therapeutic effect? (relates to learning outcome 5)

Question 12

Amitripyline

Question 13

Desvenlafaxine

Question 14

Escitalopram

Question 15

Mirtazapine

Question 16

Moclobemide

Question 17

Reboxetine

Question 18

Sertraline

Question 19

Venlafaxine

Question 20

Agomelatine

Question 21

CYL 2.1: Which one of the following is NOT a receptor subtype that tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) can affect?
a. Alpha receptors
b. Cholinergic receptors
c. Opioid receptors
d. Histamine receptors

Answer 21

C. opioid receptors