ch. 2 integrative approach to psychopathology: neuroscience

genes

molecules of DNA in chromosomes

how many chromosomes are in a cell

23 pairs

where are chromosomes located

cell nucleus

autosomes

first 22 chromosomes

what chromosomes determine the gender

23rd (XY)

female

XX

male

XY

dominant gene

one pair of genes that determines a trait

recessive gene

must be paired with another recessive gene to determine a trait

polygenic

traits that are influenced by many genes

2 biological models of psychopathology

• diathesis-stress model

• gene-environment correlation model

the diathesis-stress model

certain traits of behaviours are inherited and then activated under conditions of stress

example of the diathesis-stress model

a person has an inherited tendency to develop depression and experiences a traumatic event, resulting in a disorder

MAOA

an enzyme that is responsible for the breakdown of neurotransmitters

if a person has high MAOA activity, are the more or less susceptible to a disorder

less susceptible due to the less amount of buildup of neurotransmitters

the gene-environment correlation model

theoretical model suggesting that people have genes that predispose them to situations that then activate their genetic vulnerabilities

example of the gene-environment correlation model

I may have the urge to go party at the club, but then I get anxious at the club

epigenetics

cellular material around genes affect them being turned on or off; impacted by environmental factors like stress

example of epigenetics

intergenerational trauma from children in residential schools pass it on to their kids

CNS is composed of

brain and spinal cord

dendrites

receiving input form other neurons

axon

carry information away from cell body towards other neurons

axon terminal

part of axon that ships information to other axons

cell body and nucleus

contains genetic material that lets the cell to make proteins, produce energy

synaptic cleft

space between the axon of a neuron and the dendrite of another neuron

relevant neurotransmitters

norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, GABA and glutamate

inhibitory neurotransmitters

decrease the likelihood that the connecting neuron will fire

excitatory neurotransmitters

increase the likelihood that that connecting neuron will fire

reuptake process

prevent the chemical from reaching the next neuron by occupying the receptors in that neuron; neurotransmitter is drawn back from synaptic cleft into the same neuron

agonist

binds to a receptor of a neurotransmitter and causes an action

antagonist

blocks activity of a neurotransmitter

inverse agonist

produces effects opposite to a specific neurotransmitter

glutamate

amino acid neurotransmitter

• works with GABA to balance brain functioning

• excitatory neurotransmitter

• turns on neurons

what happens when there is too much glutamate

burns out nervous system in excess can cause seizures

GABA

amino acid neurotransmitter

• works with glutamate to balance brain functioning

• inhibitory neurotransmitter

• regulates transmission of information and action potentials

GABA is used for

reducing anxiety

• benzodiazepines act on GABA system

serotonin (5HT) is involved in

mood, emotion, anxiety, cognition, appetite and sleep

purpose of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

make it harder for neurotransmitters to leave, forces them to stay for longer within the synaptic cleft to keep exerting effects

dopamine (DA)

important for motivation, reward learning, attention, movement and cognition

DA dysfunction in disorders

schizophrenia, parkinsons, ADHD and substance use disorders

norepinephrine

neurotransmitter and hormone involved in the brain and SNS

• acts on alpha and beta adrenergic receptors

• important for arousal, alertness, attention, vigilance and responding to potential threats

NE implications in ADHD, anxiety and depression

beta blockers block beta adrenergic receptors and ca reduce symptoms of anxiety

components of the autonomic nervous system

sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

parts of the brainstem

hindbrain

midbrain

forebrain

hindbrain

includes medulla and cerebellum

medulla

heartbeat, breathing, sneezing, coughing

cerebellum

motor coordination, movement, gets impaired during alcohol

midbrain

coordinates movement with sensory output

• thalamus

• hypothalamus

• limbic system

• reticular activating system

thalamus

relay station for incoming sensory input

hypothalamus

responsible for motivation, basic drives, controls the endocrine system and pituitary gland

limbic system

amygdala (fear), hippocampus (memory), nucleus accumbent (motivation aversion and reward)

reticular activating system

arousal, sleep/wake

forebrain

higher order cognitive processes

• basal ganglia, caudate nucleus

SNS

fight or flight

PNS

rest and digest