Week 1.2.3: Biological Underpinnings Flashcards
A mental disorder where a person loses touch with reality, experiencing delusions or hallucinations.
Psychosis
A neurotransmitter in the brain that plays a key role in reward, motivation, and the regulation of mood.
Dopamine
A part of the brain involved in the coordination of movement, reward, and the synthesis of dopamine.
Striatum
A chronic and severe mental disorder affecting how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, often characterized by psychosis.
Schizophrenia
A class of stimulant drugs that increase the activity of certain chemicals in the brain, leading to increased alertness, attention, and energy.
Amphetamines
A powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system.
Methamphetamines
A stimulant drug that increases levels of dopamine in the brain circuits related to pleasure and movement.
Cocaine
Some people develop schizophrenia after using drugs like amphetamines or methamphetamine. This has been known for over 60 years. High usage of these drugs can lead to psychosis, even in individuals who were normal during childhood.
Drug-Induced Schizphrenia
A commonly used drug derived from the Cannabis plant, containing psychoactive compounds like THC.
Cannabis (Marijuana)
The main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis that affects the brain.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
A measure of association between an exposure and an outcome. An OR greater than 1 indicates an increased risk.
Odds Ratio (OR)
This study, published in 1987, followed Swedish conscripts over 15 to 25 years. It found that those who used cannabis more than 50 times were much more likely to develop schizophrenia compared to those who used it less frequently or not at all.
Swedish Army Study
This study followed individuals from childhood and found that those who started using cannabis by age 15 had a much higher risk of developing psychosis by age 26
Dunedin Study
A high-potency form of cannabis known for its strong smell and high THC content (around 16%)
Skunk
A traditional form of cannabis with lower THC content (around 3-4%)
Hashish (Resin)
Lab-made substances designed to mimic the effects of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis
Synthetic-Cannabinoids
Such as Spice or K2, are often mixed with plant material and smoked.
They can cause psychosis much more quickly than natural cannabis, sometimes within days
Synthetic-Cannabinoids
A receptor in the brain that interacts with cannabinoids like THC, affecting mood, memory, and pain sensation
CB1 Receptor
Common names for synthetic cannabinoids, often marketed as “herbal incense” or “potpourri”
Spice/K2
What is the difference between synthetic cannabinoids and natural cannabis?
Synthetic cannabinoids are much stronger than natural cannabis.
While natural cannabis has a partial effect on the CB1 receptor, synthetic cannabinoids have a full effect, making them much more potent
What are the routes into psychosis?
- Developmental Route
- Drug Route
- Social Route
This involves changes in the brain during growth that increase the risk of psychosis. These changes can be due to genetic factors or early life experiences.
Developmental Route
This route involves individuals who develop psychosis due to drug use. These individuals often do not have childhood problems and may be very smart and resourceful.
Drug Route
This involves social and environmental factors that increase the risk of psychosis.
Social Route
What is the association between living in big cities and developing psychosis?
There is strong evidence that living in a big city increases the risk of developing psychosis.
The risk of psychosis is higher in urban areas compared to rural areas.w
What about living in big cities affects the development of psychosis?
Urban Stress: Living in a big city can be stressful due to factors like noise, pollution, and social stress.
Population Density: Higher population density in cities means more social interactions and potential stressors, which can increase the risk of mental health issues
What is the association between migration and psychosis?
Migrants, especially from Africa and the Caribbean, have a higher risk of developing schizophrenia due to stressful social factors in their new environment like discrimination and social isolation.
What is the association between childhood abuse and psychosis?
Experiencing sexual or physical abuse as a child increases the risk of developing psychosis later in life
What is the association between family arrangements and stress vulnerability - and also psychosis?
The number of times family arrangements changed (e.g., parental divorce, multiple step-parents) also affects stress vulnerability.
Individuals who experienced more family rearrangements are more likely to release dopamine when stressed, making them more vulnerable to psychosis
Central to the development of psychosis, influenced by genetic, developmental, and social factors
Dopamine Dysregulation
What is the association between dopamine dysregulation and psychosis?
Individuals with a predisposition to psychosis or schizophrenia have an overreactive dopamine system.
Acute psychosocial stress can cause excessive dopamine release, leading to abnormal processing of stimuli and misinterpretation of the environment
What is the association between stress and psychosis?
Stressful experiences, especially in those with a difficult childhood, can lead to paranoid interpretations of environmental changes. This stress exacerbates psychosis, creating a cycle of increased dopamine release and worsening symptoms.
What treatment approaches are available for psychosis?
Combining pharmacological interventions with social and cognitive approaches to reduce dopamine release and improve patient outcomes namely:
- Antipsychotics
- Stress Reduction
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Helping patients understand and reinterpret their experiences to reduce paranoia and stress
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Identifying and mitigating the sources of stress, such as improving family support or changing environmental factors.
Stress Reduction
Medications that block dopamine receptors to reduce the effects of excessive dopamine.
Antipsychotics
