T3 L7: Anxiety Disorders: Neurobiology, Neurochemistry and Treatment (NS)
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Questions and Answers

Which neurotransmitter systems are involved in anxiety disorders?

  • GABA (correct)
  • Acetylcholine
  • Dopamine
  • Glutamate

    • What is the function of the amygdala in the brain?

  • It is an early smoke fire alarm system in the brain that warns of danger (correct)
  • It is responsible for memory formation
  • It is involved in motor control
  • It regulates body temperature

    • What are the learning outcomes related to anxiety and fear?

  • Understanding the role of dopamine in anxiety disorders
  • Examining the structure and function of the hippocampus
  • Identifying the different nuclei of the amygdala
  • Exploring the treatments for anxiety disorders (correct)

    • Where do the inputs to the amygdala come from?

    <p>Sensory cortex and olfactory bulb</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which area of the brain is no longer an important negative feedback point for the HP axis when the amygdala keeps activating the H?

    <p>Hippocampus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the effects of chronic stress on the brain?

    <p>Premature aging of the brain</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which neurotransmitter can inhibit noradrenaline firing in the nucleus locus coeruleus?

    <p>Serotonin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did studies on baboons in Kenya reveal about the effects of chronic stress?

    <p>Degeneration of neurons in the hippocampus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of medication is known to work well in treating panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, but not so well in OCD or PTSD?

    <p>benzodiazepines</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which neurotransmitter is known to be involved in panic disorder?

    <p>serotonin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of therapy aims to control panic disorder by changing the way individuals think about threats?

    <p>cognitive behavioral therapy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which drugs increase GABA activity and therefore reduce anxiety?

    <p>benzodiazepines and barbiturates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which neurotransmitters are involved in the dysregulation of the limbic systems and can result in inappropriate fear and anxiety responses?

    <p>GABA and glutamate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common feature of panic disorder?

    <p>Sudden onset of extreme fear</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a possible consequence of panic disorder?

    <p>Agoraphobia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the main treatments for panic disorder?

    <p>SSRI and talking therapies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which area of the brain shows a complete absence of benzodiazepine binding sites in patients with panic disorder?

    <p>Frontal cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the absence of benzodiazepine binding sites in the frontal cortex indicate in patients with panic disorder?

    <p>Inappropriate fear responses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which region of the brain is responsible for top-down influence and can become more potent with therapy?

    <p>Frontal cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the normal activity of the frontal cortex during periods of anxiety?

    <p>Increased activity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of benzodiazepine binding sites in the brain?

    <p>To bind with GABA receptors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which neurotransmitter is associated with benzodiazepine binding sites in the brain?

    <p>GABA</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the brain is responsible for quickly identifying potential threats and triggering the fight or flight response?

    <p>Amygdala</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of lesioning the amygdala?

    <p>Loss of fear response</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which area of the brain is responsible for mediating the learning of fear associations?

    <p>Amygdala</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are some effects of amygdala activation on the body?

    <p>Increased heart rate, sweating, and pupil dilation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which neurotransmitter is involved in the release and activation of dopamine, as well as the release of norepinephrine and psycho calling for muscle fiber activation?

    <p>Acetylcholine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the amygdala in the stress response?

    <p>The amygdala directly excites the hypothalamus, leading to the release of stress hormones</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the hippocampus in the regulation of the stress response?

    <p>The hippocampus provides negative feedback to modulate and inhibit the HP axis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can happen when there is chronic activation of the glucocorticoid receptors in the hippocampus?

    <p>Activation of kinases and toxic cell death</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the brain is responsible for processing sensory information before it is sent to the amygdala?

    <p>Thalamus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a function of the amygdala in response to a threat?

    <p>Processing sensory information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of lesioning the amygdala?

    <p>Loss of fear response</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of fear can be learned through associations mediated by the amygdala?

    <p>Fear of spiders</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the amygdala in the stress response?

    <p>The amygdala triggers the activation of the HPR axis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the hippocampus in the stress response?

    <p>The hippocampus modulates and inhibits the HPR axis through negative feedback.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when cortisol is constantly released and there is chronic activation of the glucocorticoid receptors in the hippocampus?

    <p>The hippocampal cells die, leading to toxic cell death.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one possible consequence of diminished activity or loss of feedback from the hippocampus to the amygdala?

    <p>Inappropriate fear responding, as the amygdala is not regulated.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Neurotransmitter Systems in Anxiety Disorders

    • Anxiety disorders involve the neurotransmitter systems of GABA, serotonin, and noradrenaline.

    The Amygdala's Function in the Brain

    • The amygdala is responsible for quickly identifying potential threats and triggering the fight or flight response.
    • It receives inputs from the sensory cortex, which processes sensory information.
    • Anxiety and fear are learned through associations mediated by the amygdala.

    The Amygdala's Role in the Stress Response

    • The amygdala plays a crucial role in the stress response by activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HP) axis.
    • Chronic activation of the amygdala can lead to diminished activity or loss of feedback from the hippocampus to the amygdala.

    The Hippocampus's Function in the Stress Response

    • The hippocampus is involved in regulating the stress response and provides feedback to the amygdala to prevent overactivation.
    • Chronic activation of the glucocorticoid receptors in the hippocampus can lead to neuronal damage and impaired cognitive function.

    Effects of Chronic Stress

    • Chronic stress can lead to changes in the brain, including reduced hippocampal volume and increased amygdala activity.
    • Studies on baboons in Kenya revealed that chronic stress can lead to changes in the brain's neurotransmitter systems.

    Treatments for Anxiety Disorders

    • Medications such as benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are effective in treating panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
    • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) aims to control panic disorder by changing the way individuals think about threats.

    Neurotransmitters Involved in Anxiety Disorders

    • Noradrenaline is involved in the dysregulation of the limbic system and can result in inappropriate fear and anxiety responses.
    • GABA is involved in reducing anxiety and is affected by benzodiazepines.

    The Frontal Cortex's Role in Anxiety

    • The frontal cortex is responsible for top-down influence and can become more potent with therapy.
    • In patients with panic disorder, the frontal cortex shows a complete absence of benzodiazepine binding sites.

    Panic Disorder

    • A common feature of panic disorder is recurring panic attacks.
    • A possible consequence of panic disorder is agoraphobia.
    • The main treatments for panic disorder include medication and CBT.

    Other Key Facts

    • The locus coeruleus is responsible for the release of noradrenaline.
    • The absence of benzodiazepine binding sites in the frontal cortex indicates abnormal GABA activity.
    • The ventral tegmental area is involved in the release and activation of dopamine, as well as the release of norepinephrine and muscle fiber activation.

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    Test your knowledge on panic disorder and its relationship with benzodiazepine binding sites on GABA receptors and SSRI medications. This quiz will cover the impact of panic disorder, as well as the involvement of benzodiazepines and serotonin in its expression.

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