1How long do symptoms have to persist for a major depressive disorder diagnosis
at least 2 weeks
2List 5 symptoms that can often be found in major depressive disorder
despair, anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure,) sleep or appetite disturbances, withdrawal from social life and daily activities, suicidal ideation
3what can cause depression
genetic factors, hormone disruptions, stress and trauma in vulnerable individuals
4Is depression endogenous or reactive
either
5What is the concordance rate of depression in twins
identical 60%, fraternal 15%
6Explain the link between the thyroid and depression
low activity in the thyroid gland has been linked to depression
7Diathesis stress hypothesis
inheritence of 2 short alleles of the SeRT gene may predispose someone to major depression in response to a stressful experience
8Monoamine theory of depression
depression is associated with underactivity at monoamine synapses
9MAO
enzyme that breaks down monoamines
10tricyclic antidepressants
increase serotonin and norepinephrine levels by blocking reuptake at the synapse by preventing transporter function
11What are some problems with tricyclic antidepressants
there are many side effects, the theraputic dose is close to the toxic dose (note the delayed effect of ~2 weeks makes this more dangerous as it encourages additional dosages)
12anhedonia
inability to feel pleasure
13underactivity of what neurotransmitter is associated with depression
serotonin
14monoamine oxidase inhibitors
inhibites mao, preventing the breakdown of monoamines
15True or False: MOAIs are dangerous because the theraputic dose is very close to the toxic dose
False, MOAIs are dangerous because of its effects on other systems of the body
16selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
blocks the transporters of serotonin to block reuptake
17selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
block norepinephrine reuptake
18Overall, how many major depression patients are antidepressents effective for
60-70%
19How long does it take to start seeing improvements after beginning antidepressants
~3 weeks usually
20Which depression patients are typically recommended deep brain stimulation
those with severe and / or treatment resistant depression
21What is the most commonly prescribed antidepressant and why
SSRIs, they tend to be effective for many people and have relatively few side effects
22Deep Brain Stimulation
implanting of neural stimulators connected to brain implanted electrodes, controlled stimulas
23Although Deep Brain Stimulation stiumulation of several brain areas can be effective, this brain region can often be particuarily effective
subgenual cingulate gyrus of the cigulate cortex