Questions and Answers
Which neurotransmitter systems are involved in anxiety disorders?
GABA
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
What are the learning outcomes related to anxiety and fear?
Exploring the treatments for anxiety disorders
Where do the inputs to the amygdala come from?
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Which area of the brain is no longer an important negative feedback point for the HP axis when the amygdala keeps activating the H?
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What is one of the effects of chronic stress on the brain?
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Which neurotransmitter can inhibit noradrenaline firing in the nucleus locus coeruleus?
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What did studies on baboons in Kenya reveal about the effects of chronic stress?
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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?
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Which neurotransmitter is known to be involved in panic disorder?
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Which type of therapy aims to control panic disorder by changing the way individuals think about threats?
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Which drugs increase GABA activity and therefore reduce anxiety?
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Which neurotransmitters are involved in the dysregulation of the limbic systems and can result in inappropriate fear and anxiety responses?
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What is a common feature of panic disorder?
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What is a possible consequence of panic disorder?
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What are the main treatments for panic disorder?
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Which area of the brain shows a complete absence of benzodiazepine binding sites in patients with panic disorder?
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What does the absence of benzodiazepine binding sites in the frontal cortex indicate in patients with panic disorder?
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Which region of the brain is responsible for top-down influence and can become more potent with therapy?
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What is the normal activity of the frontal cortex during periods of anxiety?
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What is the role of benzodiazepine binding sites in the brain?
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Which neurotransmitter is associated with benzodiazepine binding sites in the brain?
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Which part of the brain is responsible for quickly identifying potential threats and triggering the fight or flight response?
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What is the consequence of lesioning the amygdala?
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Which area of the brain is responsible for mediating the learning of fear associations?
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What are some effects of amygdala activation on the body?
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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?
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What is the role of the amygdala in the stress response?
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What is the function of the hippocampus in the regulation of the stress response?
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What can happen when there is chronic activation of the glucocorticoid receptors in the hippocampus?
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Which part of the brain is responsible for processing sensory information before it is sent to the amygdala?
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Which of the following is NOT a function of the amygdala in response to a threat?
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What is the consequence of lesioning the amygdala?
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What type of fear can be learned through associations mediated by the amygdala?
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What is the role of the amygdala in the stress response?
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What is the function of the hippocampus in the stress response?
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What happens when cortisol is constantly released and there is chronic activation of the glucocorticoid receptors in the hippocampus?
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What is one possible consequence of diminished activity or loss of feedback from the hippocampus to the amygdala?
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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.
Learning Outcomes Related to Anxiety and Fear
- 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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