Week 2 Flashcards

Question

Emotion Regulation Cognitive reappraisal

Answer 1

reinterpreting an emotion-eliciting event to effectively change its emotional impact - thoughts are altered or the emotion-eliciting stimuli are re-evaluated: DLPFC (develop cognitive strategy to reframe affective experience); MPFC and ACC (revaluate internal states and the external stimuli (changes intensity of emotion and physiological response)

Answer 2

actively inhibiting the observable expression of the emotional experience by controlling or neutralizing emotional behavior. OPFC involved in inhibition of inappropriate social and emotional behaviour

Answer 3

Abnormal increase in resting activity of the amygdala stimulates cortisol release or stress response (Hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal circuit) – particularly relevant to mood disorders Severity of mood symptoms correlates with increase in glucose metabolism in amygdala PET findings indicate hypermetabolism or overactivity of orbito prefrontal cortex, insula and amygdala of people with major depression

Answer 4

Carriers of the short-form 5-HTTLPR (serotonin transporter) poly-morphism were more likely to develop major depression or PTSD IF they had high exposure to a stressful event AND had low social support

Answer 5

Genetic diathesis (predisp.) > reactive amygdala > cognitive biases > exaggeration of stressful events > activation of hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis > Dominance of limbic activity over prefrontal function > deficient reappraisal of negative cognitions > depressive symptoms Genetic diathesis also can Increase likelihood of HPA activation Exaggeration of stressful events also leads to a dominance of limbic activity over prefrontal function

Answer 6

Abnormal interactions between the amygdala and PFC Greater amygdala activation in anxious adults and children, compared to healthy controls, when presented with brief threatening stimuli.: - ---A positive correlation between amygdala activation and anxiety symptom severity. - --Increase in amygdala response in anxiety occurs in the absence of a compensatory increase in modulation by the PFC. Fast-acting thalamo-amygdala pathway dominates, leading to impulsive instinctive behaviours

Answer 7

Does a damaged amygdala protect from developing PTSD? Koenigs et al. (Nature Neuroscience, 2008): A study of 133 Vietnam veterans Veterans with damage to either the amygdala (n = 15, 0%) or OPFC (n = 40, 18%) were much less likely to develop PTSD than those with no brain damage or damage in other areas (45% incidence) Note: differences due to less intense symptoms rather than complete lack of symptoms

Answer 8

Early abuse, war and other extreme stress can impair the activity of the hippocampus, a structure very sensitive to stress Hippocampal volume is reduced in PTSD, and correlates with PTSD symptom severity and ‘combat exposure’ Trauma exposure without PTSD may be associated with hippocampal volume deficits (see meta-analysis by Woon et al., 2010) Possible that hippocampal dysfunction leads to distortion and fragmentation of memories Psychotherapy (integrate and process meaning of events) and pharmacotherapy applications

Answer 9

The brain’s ability to reorganise its structure, function and connections in response to internal or external stimuli The lifelong capacity of the brain to change and rewire itself in response to learning and experience. Neurogenesis = ability to create new neurons and connections between neurons (synaptogenesis)

Answer 10

Occurs in response to positive and adverse life experiences eg, DV, Heroin addiction, learning to read, playing piano

Answer 11

Trauma and maltreatment activates a prolonged biological stress response through the limbic-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis The developing brain is particularly vulnerable: prolonged activation of this system leads to structural and functional brain changes (esp. in PFC and limbic system). Children: Accelerated loss of neurons, abnormal pruning of axons, and a decreased level of brain growth factors for neural development (De Bellis, et al., 2002).

Answer 12

Structural, functional and behavioural effects are worse for those with longer duration of trauma and younger age of onset (De Bellis & Kuchibhatla, 2006). Neglect or absence of parental responsiveness (e.g., attachment, play, learning, safety) results in delayed myelination of axons – linked to executive dysfunction and poor self-regulation (De Bellis, 2005). Exposure to violence is associated with smaller cerebral and PFC volumes and corresponding increase in CSF. Functionally, externalising (aggression, self-harming) and internalising (depression, anxiety) disorders

Answer 13

Children are not equally affected by abuse; variations in "neuroplasticity“ may account for differential response Early intervention for children who have suffered maltreatment can mitigate adverse behavioural, learning and cognitive effects (De Bellis, Keshavan, Shifflett et al., 2002). Sustained positive carer-child interactions can reduce the activity of the HPA axis, modifying behavioural and endocrine responses to stress e.g., attachment-based therapy, therapeutic day care

Answer 14

Radford et al. 2017, Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 25:10, October 2017 296 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians aged 60–92 years, NSW Life course survey of health, well-being, cognition, and social history including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) After controlling for multiple risk factors, higher levels of childhood stress and adversity were associated with depression, anxiety, suicide attempts, dementia diagnosis, and, specifically, Alzheimer disease.