Neuroscience-Mood Disorders

As the provider, you are looking at genetic testing for your patient who you have diagnosed with depression. You know that the most noteworthy genes in MDD are (select all that apply):

Label the 5 major regions of dysfunction in depressed brains.

The [blank_start]insula[blank_end] is a structure that sits on top of the caudate-putamen and interacts with amygdala, and plays a major role in the perception of pain.

What functional processes in the brain, exacerbate PAIN in persons with MDD?

T or F. The most current Monoamine Hypothesis posits that there are depleted monoamine levels (5HT, NE, DA) and these deficiencies can be measured in the plasma, CSF and brain tissue.

The NT Receptor hypothesis posits that abnormalities in the receptors for monoamine NT's leads to [blank_start]depression[blank_end]. Further, deficient activity of monoanime NT's causes [blank_start]upregulation[blank_end] of postsynaptic NT receptors.

Which important signal conduction cascades are triggered by neurotransmitters?

In the Second Messenger Malfunction Theory, problems in the [blank_start]2nd[blank_end] messenger system can [blank_start]impair[blank_end] neurotransmitter function [blank_start]without[blank_end] changes in monoamine levels or receptor numbers. This results in a [blank_start]downstream[blank_end] impact on gene expression.

Serotonin is a monoamine, specifically an [blank_start]indoleamine[blank_end].

5HT is produced in the [blank_start]raphe[blank_end] nuclei.

Disruption to the normal connection of serotonergic nuclei to this system, is thought to contribute to depression?

Match the monoamine circuit to its function(s): 5HT: [blank_start]Affect[blank_end] [blank_start]Anxiety[blank_end] [blank_start]Distress[blank_end] [blank_start]Behavioral Inhibition[blank_end] NE [blank_start]Arousal[blank_end] [blank_start]Responsiveness[blank_end] [blank_start]Alerting Signals[blank_end] DA [blank_start]Reward[blank_end] [blank_start]Interest[blank_end][blank_start]Motivation[blank_end]

The PMHNP is explaining to her patient the role of 5HT in depression, specifically the "Behavioral Inhibition" system. What is the best explanation of this system below?

NE is a monoamine, specifically a [blank_start]catecholamine[blank_end].

NE in the CNS is produced in the [blank_start]nucleus[blank_end] [blank_start]locus[blank_end] [blank_start]ceruleus[blank_end].

Put the correct statement below:

NE is modulated by which part of the brain?

Dopamine is a monoamine, specifically a [blank_start]cathecolamine[blank_end].

The [blank_start]mesolimbic[blank_end] pathway is involved in pleasure and reward; stimulation of this pathway results in a sense of pleasure.

The [blank_start]mesocortical[blank_end] pathway is involved in motivational behavior, and is tied to pleasure and reward.

Monoamine Hypothesis Made Simple for Patient Education-Label the functions with the correct neurotrasmitter.

The most used neurotransmitter in the nervous system is [blank_start]glutamate[blank_end].

What is the MOA of ketamine, and the reason why it may be useful in the treatment of depression?

Label the HPA Axis diagram sequentially with the correct parts of the brain:

Chronic exposure to stress & high levels of [blank_start]glucocorticoids[blank_end] leads to neuronal atrophy and death.

T of F. One of the effects of chronic stress is decreased neurogenesis and hippocampal atrophy.

Cytokines can (select all that apply):

Two the likely risk genes in Bipolar are the [blank_start]CACNA1C[blank_end] and [blank_start]ANK3.[blank_end]

T or F. Genes = Probabilism not determinism.

In bipolar disorder, there is thought to be decreased size and activity in the [blank_start]PFC[blank_end] (use the abbreviation) and [blank_start]limbic[blank_end] hyperactivity.

In bipolar disorder, hippocampus volume is [blank_start]decreased[blank_end].

In mania frontal activity is most [blank_start]decreased[blank_end] and limbic activity is most [blank_start]increased.[blank_end]

In bipolar mania, which neurotransmitter have greater activity (select all that apply)?

What is the Kindling Theory of Bipolar?

This is a nice graphic for neurocircuitry of depression

Nice graphic for Bipolar.

Additional helpful graphic

Simple Neurotransmitter Explanation

Neurotransmitter Imbalance Chart

Last one...there were just so many helpful charts out there!