PSY 30312 Chapter Notes - Chapter 10: Adrenal Gland, Prefrontal Cortex, Cortisol
Document Summary
30-45% heritability not as high when compared to other disorders. High family incidence= best known predictor of mdd onset. Children with a parent who had childhood mdd are 14 times more likely to have onset before 13. Genetic inherited genes that effect the regulation of serotonin: neurobiology: Structural abnormalities= emerge very early in life development. Smaller volume of the following brain structures: amygdala, cingulate & prefrontal cortex, hippocampus. Functional abnormalities= differences in how areas of the brain communicate with one another. Less activity in regions associated with attention, executive functioning, and sensory processing. More activity in regions associated with recognizing and regulating emotions, stress response, and emotional memory (primarily the amygdala area: hpa axis: Area of brain that shows the relationship between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal gland. Hpa a(cid:454)is= helps regulate the (cid:271)od(cid:455)"s respo(cid:374)se to stress both structural and functional abnormalities in this area of the brain.
