Neurochemistry of Mood Disorders
This neurotransmitter is associated with anhedonia and motivation in depression.
What is dopamine?
The minimum duration required for a Major Depressive Episode according to DSM-5.
What is two weeks?
The first-line drug class used for Major Depressive Disorder.
What are SSRIs?
This endocrine disorder is a common cause of depressive symptoms and is screened for with TSH and T4 tests.
What is hypothyroidism?
This psychotherapy is the most effective non-pharmacologic treatment for Major Depressive Disorder.
What is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?
The monoamine hypothesis of depression suggests decreased levels of these three neurotransmitters.
What are serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine?
A hypomanic episode in Bipolar II Disorder must last at least this many days.
What is four days?
Sertraline increases the synaptic availability of this neurotransmitter.
What is serotonin (5-HT)?
Depressed patients enter this sleep stage earlier than normal and experience increased duration of it.
What is REM sleep?
This drug class can cause a hypertensive crisis if combined with tyramine-rich foods.
What are MAOIs?
This neurotrophic factor, which promotes neuronal survival and plasticity, is reduced in depression.
What is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)?
The key difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II is the presence of this type of episode in Bipolar I.
What is a manic episode?
Venlafaxine differs from SSRIs because it also increases levels of this neurotransmitter.
What is norepinephrine?
This metabolic disorder causes fatigue, weight gain, and depression due to chronic cortisol excess.
What is Cushing’s syndrome?
This therapy, often used for treatment-resistant depression, is associated with retrograde amnesia as a side effect.
What is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?
In chronic stress, this hormone is persistently elevated, contributing to hippocampal atrophy in depression.
What is cortisol?
This term describes a state in bipolar disorder where a patient experiences both depressive and manic symptoms simultaneously.
What is a mixed episode?
The mechanism of action of lithium involves inhibition of this second messenger system.
What is inositol monophosphatase?
Name two stimulant drugs that can mimic manic symptoms.
What are cocaine and amphetamines?
Lithium toxicity can be worsened by the use of this common over-the-counter pain medication.
What are NSAIDs?
The reason antidepressants take weeks to work is largely due to the time required to restore levels of this key protein involved in synaptic plasticity.
What is BDNF?
This disorder mimics Major Depressive Disorder but is caused by chronic mood fluctuations, lasting at least 2 yearswithout meeting full criteria for hypomania or major depression.
What is cyclothymic disorder?
This medication, used in bipolar disorder, requires routine serum level monitoring due to its narrow therapeutic window.
What is lithium?
Patients with depression experience reduced time spent in this deep sleep stage.
What is slow-wave sleep (Stage 3)?
Name two non-pharmacologic treatments used for severe, treatment-resistant depression.
What are ECT and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)?