29 Questions
Which brain structure is responsible for temperature regulation, appetite control, and sexual drive?
Hypothalamus
Which brain structures are involved in emotional arousal and memory?
Hippocampus and Amygdala
What role do neurotransmitters play in the body?
Aid in information transmission
What type of action do excitatory neurotransmitters cause in cells?
Stimulate actions
Which disturbances are associated with the limbic system according to the text?
Poor memory and controlled emotions
What is the purpose of tapering psychotropic medications rather than stopping them abruptly?
To avoid potential problems with rebound, recurrence, or withdrawal symptoms
How is the frequency of drug administration related to its half-life?
Drugs with a shorter half-life need to be given more frequently
What is the approximate time it takes for a drug to leave the body completely after it has been discontinued?
Five times its half-life
What is the term used to describe the use of a drug for a purpose other than the one it was originally approved for?
Off-label use
Which of the following best describes a delusion?
A firmly held belief despite contradictory evidence
What is the purpose of follow-up care when taking psychotropic medications?
All of the above
What is the main focus of psychiatric rehabilitation?
Personal growth and recovery
Which of the following is NOT a goal of psychiatric rehabilitation?
Social isolation
What are some characteristics of later recovery according to the text?
Managing symptoms effectively
How did programs employing peers impact client functioning according to the text?
Improved client functioning
What was a significant finding regarding peer support in psychiatric rehabilitation studies?
Peers reduced inpatient use and improved recovery outcomes
How did sharing on social media support peer involvement according to the text?
It provided informal peer support via YouTube videos
What is the initial treatment for Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)?
Discontinue antipsychotic medications and provide supportive medical care
What is the primary function of acetylcholine in the body?
Mediating muscle contraction and glandular secretion
Where is acetylcholine primarily found in the central nervous system?
Spinal cord, thalamus, limbic system, and cortex
What is the effect of activating cholinergic receptors on the iris and lens of the eye?
Constriction of the iris (miosis) and contraction of the lens
What is the chemical structure of acetylcholine?
An ester of acetic acid and choline
What is the typical effect of acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter?
Excitatory
What is the primary mechanism of action of third-generation antipsychotics like aripiprazole, cariprazine, and brexpiprazole?
They stabilize dopamine output by preserving or enhancing dopaminergic transmission when low and reducing it when high.
Which of the following is NOT a common side effect of third-generation antipsychotics?
Tardive dyskinesia
What is the purpose of using depot injections for antipsychotic medication?
To deliver the medication in a slow-release form for maintenance therapy.
Which of the following antipsychotics is available in a depot injection form that uses sesame oil as the vehicle?
Decanoate fluphenazine (Prolixin)
What is the duration of action for the depot injection form of decanoate haloperidol (Haldol)?
4 weeks
What is the recommended treatment for extrapyramidal side effects associated with antipsychotic medications?
Administer immediate treatment with anticholinergic drugs, such as intramuscular benztropine mesylate (Cogentin).
Study Notes
The Limbic System
- Involved in temperature regulation, appetite control, endocrine function, sexual drive, and impulsive behavior associated with feelings of anger, rage, or excitement
- Disturbances in the limbic system have been implicated in various mental illnesses, such as dementia and psychotic or manic behavior
Neurotransmitters
- Chemical substances manufactured in the neuron that aid in the transmission of information throughout the body
- Either excite or stimulate an action in the cells (excitatory) or inhibit or stop an action (inhibitory)
- Fit into specific receptor cells embedded in the membrane of the dendrite, like a key fitting into a lock
Psychotropic Drugs
- A broad term referring to medications that affect mental function, behavior, and experience
- Typically administered to older adults to manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, psychological distress, and/or insomnia
- Types: antidepressant, anti-anxiety medications, stimulants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers
- Often decreased gradually (tapering) rather than abruptly to avoid potential problems with rebound, recurrence, or withdrawal
Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Recovery
- Refers to services designed to promote the recovery process for clients with mental illness
- Goals: recovery from mental illness, personal growth, reintegration into the community, empowerment, increased independence, improved quality of life
- Characteristics of Later Recovery: accepting illness, managing symptoms effectively, being actively engaged in the community, having meaningful social contact, coping with family relationships, valuing self and others
Peers and Recovery
- Peer counselors and programs have been shown to improve client functioning, satisfaction, self-confidence, and hope for recovery
- Peer support can reduce inpatient use and improve many recovery outcomes
Neurotransmitter Acetylcholine
- The neurotransmitter at neuromuscular junctions, synapses in the ganglia of the visceral motor system, and various sites within the central nervous system
- Derived from its chemical structure: an ester of acetic acid and choline
- Regulates cardiac contractions and blood pressure, intestinal peristalsis, glandular secretion, etc.
- Activating cholinergic receptors includes muscle contraction, heart rate deceleration, constriction of the iris (miosis) and of the lens, mucus secretion, and bronchoconstriction
Third-Generation Antipsychotics
- Stabilize dopamine output, preserving or enhancing dopaminergic transmission when it is too low and reducing it when it is too high
- Examples: aripiprazole (Abilify), cariprazine (Vraylar), brexpiprazole (Rexulti)
- Used for schizophrenia, manic episodes, and as adjunct medication in bipolar disorder and depression
- Common side effects: sedation, weight gain, akathisia, headache, anxiety, and nausea
Test your knowledge on the functions and implications of the limbic system in mental illnesses, memory, emotional arousal, and behavioral control. Explore how disruptions in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala can lead to various disorders.
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