Genetic contributions - theoretical approachers in explaining the etiology of psychological disorders

One-Dimensional

looking for a single cause

Multidimensional

looking for a systematic cause

Genetic contributions

The cause of psychological disorder is due to genes/biology

Genes

A long molecules of DNA at various locations on chromosomes, within cell nucleus

Chromosomes present in humans

23 pairs of chromosomes

• 1 pair of chromosome is a sex chromosome

• 22 pairs of chromosomes are autosomes

XX chromosome

A female chromosome

XY chromosome

A male chromosome

Phenotype

An observable trait/characteristics

Genotype

A unique genetic makeup

Endophenotypes

genetic mechanisms that ultimately contribute to the underlying problems causing the symptoms and difficulties experienced by people with psychological disorders

Basic genetic epidemiology

statistical analysis of family, twin, and adoption studies

• if the disorder can be inherited and how much is attributable to egenetics

Advanced genetic epidemiology

studies the factors that influence the disorder

Gene finding

what gene influences the behavior

Molecular genetics

biological analysis of individual DNA samples

• biological processes genes affect to produce symptoms of the disorder

Family studies

examine behavioral pattern or emotional trait of the family

Proband

family member with the trait singled out for studies

• the first person in the family to be identified as possibly having genetic disorder and who may receive genetic counseling or testing

Adoption studies

identify adoptees who have particular behavioral pattern or psychological disorder and attempt to locate the first-degree relatives who were raised in different family settings

Twin studies

usually conducted to identical twins because they share genetic makeup

• those people who reported more severe to stressful life events and had at least one short allele of the 5-HTT gene were at greater risk of developing depression (serotonin-transporter gene)

Epigenetics

factors other than inherited DNA sequence, such as new learning or stress, that alter the phenotypic expression of genes

Neuroscience

study of the nervous system, especially the brain to understand behavior, emotions, and cognitive processes

Dopamine - neurotransmitter

high - causes schizophrenia

low - causes parkinson’s disease

Acetylcholine - neurotransmitter

high - causes Mania

low - depression

GABA Gamma Aminobutyric Acid - neurotransmitter

high - relaxation

low - anxiety/OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder)

Epinephrine - neurotransmitter

high - stress sleep disorders

low - fatigue

Glutamate - neurotransmitter

high - psychosis, neuron death

low - huntington’s disease

Endorphin - neurotransmitter

low - eating disorders

Agonist

a molecule that effectively increase the activity of the neurotransmitters (exicatory)

Antagonist

a molecule that decrease or block neurotransmitter (inhibitory)

Inverse agonist

a molecule that binds to the same receptor as an agonist but produces the opposite effect

Reuptake

the released neurotransmitter are quickly broken down and brought back to the synaptic cleft

Glutamate

Exhibitory

known as the memory neurotransmitter

it is most abundnat in the brain and plays a key role in thinking, learning, and memory

GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid)

Inhibitory

known as the calming neurotransmitter

the most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and regulates mood, irritability, sleep, seizures

Serotonin

Inhibitory

known as the mood neurotransmitter

it regulates, mood, sleep patterns, sexuality, appetite, and pain

Dopamine

known as the pleasure neurotransmitter

it is a body reward system, pleasures, achieving heightened arousal, and learning

Epinephrine

known as the fight or flight neurotransmitter

it is responsible for a fight-or-flight response

Norepinephrine

known as the concentration neurotransmitter

it is responsible for alterness, arousal decision-making, attention, and focus

Endorphins

known as euphoria neurotransmitter

it is responsible for pain relieving

Acetylcholine

Exhibitory

known as learning neurotransmitter

it regulates heart rate, blood pressure, and gut motility, roles also in muscle contraction, memory, motivation, sexual desire, sleep, and learning