Mental Disorders
Can you briefly describe the hallmark feature of anxiety disorders?
The hallmark feature of anxiety disorders is an inappropriately large stress response to a stressor that is non-threatening and/or is not present.
Can you describe how SSRI medications act on neurons and how SSRI medications are thought to reduce symptom severity?
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) increase the levels of serotonin in the brain by inhibiting its reuptake into neurons.
What is the most common site of stroke?
The most common site of stroke is the middle cerebral artery.
What is the definition of the terms anxiety, anxiety disorder?
Anxiety is a feeling of worry or unease.
An anxiety disorder is a mental health condition characterized by excessive anxiety.
Can you name and briefly describe the two types of stroke?
The two types of stroke are ischemic stroke, caused by a blockage in a blood vessel supplying the brain, and hemorrhagic stroke, caused by bleeding in or around the brain.
What structural changes are evident in the brains of people with schizophrenia and what might these structural changes represent?
Structural changes in the brains of people with schizophrenia include enlarged ventricles and reduced gray matter volume. These changes may represent neurodevelopmental abnormalities and loss of neural connectivity.
Can you describe the pathological and pathophysiological process that leads to ischemic stroke?
Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot or atherosclerotic plaque blocks a cerebral artery, leading to reduced blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain tissue, resulting in cell death.
Can you describe one mechanism/process that leads to an inappropriately large stress response in anxiety disorders?
One mechanism involves the role of the amygdala, hippocampus, and HPA axis. Continuous high levels of cortisol can be caused by chronic stress, and these high cortisol levels can have detrimental effects on neurons, leading to an exaggerated stress response.
Can you briefly describe acute treatments for stroke?
Acute treatments for stroke include thrombolytic therapy to dissolve clots in ischemic stroke, surgical intervention to repair bleeding in hemorrhagic stroke, and supportive care to manage symptoms and prevent complications.
Explain the relationship between the site of stroke and the resultant clinical manifestations?
Yes, the site of the stroke determines the affected brain region and the corresponding clinical manifestations. For example, a stroke in the left hemisphere may result in contralateral motor/ sensory deficits. Other effects can be on language or spatial and perceptual difficulties.