CH.19 Neurobiology of Schizophrenia, Mood Disorders, and Anxiety Disorders

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions in the study of neurobiology related to schizophrenia, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders.

Schizophrenia

A collection of illnesses characterized by thought disorders, coined by Eugene Bleuler in 1911.

Affective states

Brief emotional feelings that can influence mood.

Eugene Bleuler

Psychiatrist who coined the term schizophrenia.

Genetic predisposition

Increased risk due to inherited genetic factors.

Monozygotic twins concordance rate

30%-50% likelihood that both twins share the condition.

Prenatal vulnerability factors

Factors such as infections or nutritional deficiencies that can increase the risk of schizophrenia.

Neuroanatomic alterations

Structural changes in the brain associated with schizophrenia, such as increased ventricle size.

Dopamine pathways

Brain pathways altered in schizophrenia, affecting mood and cognition.

Major depression

Also known as unipolar depression; most common mood disorder.

Bipolar Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by episodes of mania and depression.

HPA system dysregulation

Dysfunction in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis associated with mood disorders.

Serotonin system

Neurotransmitter system implicated in mood regulation and disorders.

Generalized anxiety disorder

A condition marked by excessive and persistent worries.

Panic disorder

Characterized by recurrent panic attacks and intense autonomic arousal.

Social anxiety disorder

Fear and avoidance of social situations due to anxiety.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

A disorder resulting from exposure to life-threatening trauma.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Involves obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (ritualized actions).