PSYCH 643 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY STUDY GUIDE /Module 5 Depression

PSYCH 643 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY Study Guide Module 5: Depression Familiarize yourself with theories of bipolar spectrum disorder and their criticism (Article: Bipolar Spectrum: A Critical Perspective) with consideration of the following: 1. Patient presentation rarely fits neatly into unipolar depression, bipolar I and bipolar II diagnostic criteria. 2. Treatment decisions can be guided by the bipolar spectrum classification. What are the 3 neurotransmitters most implicated in mood disorders? Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine Describe the synthesis of norepinephrine. Tyrosine Hydroxylase convert amino acid Tyrosine into DOPA, DOPA decarboxylase convert DOPA to DA, Dopamine b hydroxylase converts DA into NE How is norepinephrine metabolized? Monoamine oxidase (MAO) A or B, Catechol-o-methyl-transferase (COMT) What is the significance of presynaptic alpha-2 receptors? Presynaptic alpha 2 receptors are located in both the axon terminal and soma. Only a2 receptors can act as presynaptic autoreceptors, presynaptic alpha 2 receptors regulate norepinephrine release Describe how norepinephrine regulates serotonin. NE regulates 5HT neuros via alpha 1 and alpha 2 receptors, a1 accelerate and a2 brake Compare the monoamine hypothesis of depression to the monoamine receptor hypothesis and the proposed validity of each. (This information is also covered in Chapter 7.) Monoamine hypothesis conclude that depression is due to a deficiency of monoamine neurotransmitters and mania is due to an excess of monoamine neurotransmitters. Monoamine receptor hypothesis posits that abnormality in the receptors for monoamine neurotransmitters leads to depression. Describe the role of stress, BDNF and brain atrophy in depression. What is the relationship between monoamines and BDNF?