ANSC 3170 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Major Depressive Disorder, Biological Specificity, Cortisol
12 Feb 2018
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Document Summary
Clinical depression: mood disorder diagnosed from several co-existing symptoms over specific time periods. No symptom is unique to depression; what is unique is the number and the top 2 combined. Emotional neglect, and physical or sexual abuse in childhood are all significant risk factors. May interact with genotype (especially with respect to 5 ht) Number of stressful life events is a predictor (also chronic pain) Best biomarker for those who suffer from clinical depression. Role of hippocampus: (-) feedback on hpa axis and crucial in memory formation. The more severe hippocampal atrophy, the more likely they are to have impaired memory/cognition and decision making memory/cognition and decision making. If you start off with small hippocampal volumes, you are more likely to get depression. The greater emotional neglect when younger= smaller hippocampus. Experiencing early emotional neglect= higher chance of depression. Likely b/c chronic stress = hyper- inflammation = hyper-elevated cortisol made worse by compromised (-) feedback.
