PSYCH 2AP3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 26: Intellectual Disability, Metabolite, Mood Disorder

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH 2AP3
• Professor: Richard B Day

Document Summary

Depression = low levels of amine neurotransmitter activity. Mania = high levels of amine neurotransmitter activity. Antidepressants and ect: reduce beta-adrenergic receptors; increase serotonergic response, alpha-adrenergic receptors (relaxation, inhibition) Lithium - stabilizes serotonergic activity (mechanism of action unclear) Lower levels of urinary mhpg in depression than controls. Small majority of studies find lower csf levels of 5-hiaa in depression. Low csf levels of 5-hiaa in aggression, impulsivity, suicide. Reduced regulation = wider activity changes, --> mania or depression. Some drugs relieve depression without amine uptake effects. Delay between drug effects and lifting of depression. Not the depression is too low, it"s related to too high activity in neurotransmitters. Serotonin levels in brain cannot be measured directly. Peripheral measures of serotonin, 5-hiaa may be from outside brain. Drugs that block serotonin reuptake do not relieve depression. Reducing tryptophan (and serotonin) does not cause depression. Neonatal exposure to ssris cause adult depression in rats.