W8_03 Depression Flashcards
fact: depression is the #1 disabling condition in canada
good
diagnostic criteria for major depressive episode? (DISIGECAPS)
depressed mood interest loss sleep changes impaired function guilt/worthlessness energy issues concentration/cognition issues appetite/weight loss psychomotor retardation suicidality
how is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis affected in depression?
feedback loop broken;
in dexamethosone suppression test, cortisol continues to be released
how do genetics and environment contribute to major depressive disorder?
both cause it synergistically
what does BDNF do?
useful for neurogeneration in hippocampus and dendritic spine growth
how does chronic social defeat affect BDNF?
downregulates it through methylation of the promoter DNA
how do antidepressants reverse BDNF downregulation?
acetylation of histones to make it easier to unravel DNA
fact: exercise increases neurogenesis
good
fact: electroconvulsive therapy works
good