Neuroendocrinology of Dopamine

Questions and Answers

What effect does dopamine have during the manic phase of bipolar disorder?

It has no significant effect on neurotransmission.

It directly causes depressive episodes.

It decreases mood and energy levels.

It has increased transmission. (correct)

What does the dopamine hypothesis suggest happens to key systems during increased dopamine levels?

Dopamine transmission remains constant.

There is secondary homeostatic down regulation. (correct)

It leads to increased levels of GABA.

There is an up regulation of serotonin receptors.

What happens to glutamate levels during the manic phase of bipolar disorder?

They remain constant throughout all phases.

They significantly increase in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. (correct)

They decrease to below normal levels.

They have no known relation to mood changes.

What characterizes the end of the depressive phase in the dopaminergic system?

A homeostatic up regulation occurs. Signup and view all the answers

What factor is suggested to disturb the normal lamination in the brain associated with bipolar disorder?

Disturbance in early development. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the role of environmental factors in bipolar disorder?

They play a significant role when combined with genetics. Signup and view all the answers

What describes the Diathesis-Stress Hypothesis in relation to bipolar disorder?

It indicates that genetics and environmental factors can activate vulnerabilities. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder report traumatic experiences in childhood?

30-50% Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT mentioned as a source of possible stress that can activate bipolar diatheses?

Healthy relationships Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the kindling hypothesis of mood disorders?

It proposes that repeated stressors can lead to mood episodes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about the relationship between stress and the onset of bipolar disorder?

Higher stress always leads to bipolar disorder. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true about the connection between menstrual cycles and bipolar disorder?

Menstrual cycles may contribute to the increased prevalence of depressive episodes in women. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is likely to reduce an individual's vulnerability to developing bipolar disorder?

A supportive family environment Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the suggested biological factors that may contribute to bipolar disorder?

Genetic predispositions Signup and view all the answers

How does the amount of stress needed to trigger bipolar disorder vary based on an individual's susceptibility?

Individuals with lower susceptibility need more stress to trigger the illness. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Neuroendocrinological Factors

Dopamine: A neurotransmitter linked to mood regulation; its heightened activity occurs during manic phases of bipolar disorder.
Dopamine Hypothesis: Increased dopamine leads to homeostatic downregulation of systems, causing reduced dopamine transmission in depressive phases.
Cycle Restart: The depressive phase triggers homeostatic upregulation, potentially initiating a new cycle of mood changes.
Glutamate Levels: Elevated glutamate is found in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during mania, normalizing post-phase.
GABA Increase: Possible early developmental disturbances affect brain structure layering, potentially contributing to GABA increase.

Environmental Factors

Psychosocial Impact: Environmental factors significantly influence the development and recurrence of bipolar disorder, interacting with genetic predispositions.
Life Events Correlation: Prospective studies indicate that recent life events and relationships affect onset and recurrence of both bipolar and unipolar mood episodes.
Childhood Trauma: 30-50% of adults with bipolar disorder report childhood traumatic experiences, correlating with earlier onset, higher suicide risk, and co-occurring disorders like PTSD.
Stressful Events: A higher number of stressful childhood events is reported among adults diagnosed with bipolar spectrum disorder, particularly from harsh environments rather than personal behavior.

Pathogenetic Models

Diathesis-Stress Hypothesis: Suggests that individuals have inherent vulnerabilities (diatheses) that may predispose them to bipolar illness, influenced by genetic, biological, and experiential factors.
Interaction Requirement: Vulnerabilities must interact with life stresses to activate the illness; higher inherent susceptibility requires less stress to trigger onset.
Critical Stress Threshold: Individuals remain symptomless until a specific level of stress is reached, resulting in latent vulnerabilities.
Stressor Sources: Various stressors, including trauma, family stress, depression, biological factors, and substance abuse, can activate bipolar vulnerabilities.
Sleep Deprivation and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Notable triggers for mania; hormonal changes in women contribute to the prevalence of depressive episodes.
Continuous vs. Initial Stress: Initial triggers of the illness may differ from those that perpetuate it; understanding these distinctions aids in treatment approaches.
Biological Evidence: Findings from genetics, neurochemistry, endocrinology, and immunology support the biological basis of bipolar disorder.
Kindling Hypothesis: Proposed by Post in 1992, suggests that stress can sensitively trigger mood disorders, gradually requiring less stress to induce episodes over time.

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Description

This quiz delves into the neuroendocrinological factors related to dopamine, focusing on its role in mood cycling. It explores the dopamine hypothesis and how changes during manic and depressive phases affect neurotransmission and receptor regulation.