Psychiatric Disorders: Depressive Disorders Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What distinguishes reactive depression from endogenous depression?

Endogenous depression lasts less than 2 weeks.

Reactive depression is triggered by a negative experience. (correct)

Endogenous depression is triggered by a negative experience.

Reactive depression has no apparent cause.

Which brain regions are notably involved in the reduction of grey matter in major depressive disorder?

Thalamus and striatum

Prefrontal cortex and amygdala (correct)

Brainstem and corpus callosum

Cerebellum and occipital lobe

According to the monoamine theory of depression, what is mainly reduced in depressive disorders?

Serotonin and noradrenaline activity (correct)

Dopamine activity

Glutamate levels

Corticosteroid release

What does the neuroplasticity theory suggest about the onset of depression?

It arises due to reduced neuroplastic processes in the brain. Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is primarily associated with anhedonia in major depressive disorder?

Loss of ability to experience pleasure Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of BDNF in relation to depression?

It enhances neural processes and alleviates depression. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes hypomania in bipolar disorder?

A reduced need for sleep and high energy. Signup and view all the answers

Which brain structure is reported to have a decreased volume in individuals with bipolar disorder?

Hippocampus Signup and view all the answers

Which theory posits that the brain-reward system becomes dysfunctional in bipolar disorder?

Reward hypersensitivity theory. Signup and view all the answers

Panic disorders are characterized by which of the following symptoms?

Rapid onset of fear and panic attacks. Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates anxiety disorders from major depressive disorders at the neural level?

Atypical activity is observed in anxiety disorders. Signup and view all the answers

In Tourette's disorder, what role does the caudate nucleus play?

It suppresses unwanted movements. Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter imbalances are associated with anxiety disorders?

Deficits in GABA and serotonin transmission. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these accurately describes the symptoms of motor tics in Tourette's disorder?

Repetitive movements such as hitting and squatting. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Bipolar I disorder from Bipolar II disorder?

Occurrence of mania in addition to depression. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Depressive Disorders

Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder, lasts longer than two weeks.
Two types: reactive depression (triggered by negative experiences) and endogenous depression (no apparent cause).
Associated neural changes include reduced grey matter in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and cingulate cortex.
White matter reduction is primarily observed in the frontal cortex.
Atypical activity is seen in brain structures such as the frontal cortex and insular cortex.
Anhedonia, characterized by the loss of pleasure without clear reason, is a significant symptom.
Additional symptoms include sleep disturbances, suicidal thoughts, and difficulty meeting daily needs.
Theories explaining depression include:
- Monoamine theory: Depressive disorders arise from reduced serotonin and noradrenaline activity.
- Neuroplasticity theory: Antidepressant effects occur over weeks, indicating changes in neuroplasticity processes leading to neuronal loss and reduced neurotrophin synthesis.
Antidepressants enhance neurotrophin synthesis, synapse formation, and neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may serve as a biomarker for depression.

Bipolar Disorders

Characterized by alternating episodes of depression and hypomania/mania.
Hypomania involves high energy and reduced need for sleep, while mania includes extreme features and possible delusions.
Bipolar I involves episodes of mania or hypomania in addition to depression; Bipolar II features depression with hypomania.
Neural correlates show a reduction in overall grey matter volume and smaller sizes of specific brain structures like the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.
Atypical activation and connectivity occur in the frontal cortex and basal ganglia.
Theories for bipolar disorder include:
- Dysfunction in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
- Disruption of circadian rhythms.
- Neurotransmission changes in GABA, glutamate, and dopamine.
- Low BDNF levels, similar to depressive disorders.
- Reward hypersensitivity, showing an overreaction to rewards leading to excessive goal seeking—a hallmark of mania.

Anxiety Disorders

Defined by chronic fear without direct threats, often accompanied by physiological symptoms.
Can motivate effective coping behaviors in non-disordered forms.
Four main types of anxiety disorders:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Extreme anxiety across multiple activities.
- Specific Phobias: Intense fear of specific objects or situations.
- Agoraphobia: Fear of public spaces leading to feelings of helplessness.
- Panic Disorders: Rapid onset of panic attacks and fear of future attacks.
Neural bases involve GABA and serotonin deficits.
Brain structures affected include the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, with atypical activity rather than atrophy observed in anxiety disorders.

Tourette’s Disorders

Characterized by involuntary, repetitive tics—motor (movements) and vocal (sounds).
Symptoms typically decrease with maturation.
Neural correlates include a smaller striatum volume.
Suppression of tics activates the prefrontal cortex and caudate nuclei, indicating impaired suppression of unwanted movements.
Dysfunctional dopaminergic and GABAergic signaling affects habit formation circuits involving the cortex, striatum, and thalamus.
Notable thinning of gray matter occurs in the sensory motor cortex area controlling facial and vocal expressions.

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Description

Test your knowledge on depressive disorders, including clinical depression and major depressive disorder. Explore the neural bases and types of depression, such as reactive and endogenous. Learn about the effects on brain matter and the relevant brain structures involved.