NURS 5461 DEPRESSION EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS VERIFIED
Limbic System. amygdala
Gauge and modulate emotions/ thoughts of death and guilt,
Limbic system hippocampus
Affects memory/concentration less size/ neurogenesis in depression
Frontal cortex
Linked to depressed mood and problems concentrating. Reduced in size and
hyopactive in D, difficulty in thinking/planning-->rely on amygdala so response is
emotion based
Basal ganglia
Linked to psychomotor agitation or retardation
Hypothalamus
r/t loss of appetite, weight loss anhedonia (loss of pleasure) -- neurovegetative signs.
Neurotransmitters and depression
↓Serotonin: mood, sleep, impulsivity symptoms ↓Dopamine: pleasure, reward,
psychomotor activity, fatigue, low energy, cognition ↓Norepinephrine: mood, arousal,
appetite , planning, concentrating ↓ GABA: anxiety, agitation of depression ↑glutamate
& NMDA receptors in frontal lobe (↑ neuronal cell death
Glial cells
, ↓ in number and density in depression Glial cells protect neurons by stabilizing
glutamate & supplying glucose to the neurons (stick like glue)
Synthesize & release neurotropic factors (Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor: BDNF)
these can stabilize with ADM-
Extra cellular glutamate accumulates
Excess of glucocorticoids (HPA axis) Decreased GLIA PFC Fewer glial glutamate
transporters Neurons get exposed to glutamate and can no longer function Progressive
depression Damage to neurons (neurotoxicity) 2x greater risk of dementia with
depression! not enough stabilization with GABA
PFC hyperactivity
↑CRF released from hypothalamus ACTH released from pituitary Glucocorticoids
(cortisol) released from adrenal cortex Excessive glucocorticoid release may cause
hippo-campal atrophy Atrophy leads to chronic activation of HPA axisDepression,
anxiety result. Antidepressants can reverse
Hypothalamic Dysregulation Circadian Rhythms of Sleep
Delayed sleep onset
Shortened REM latency
Increased length of 1st REM period
Abnormal delta sleep
May be reported as lack of sleep or atypical feature
of hypersomnia
Antidepressant meds treat circadian dysregulation
and can restore normal sleep architecture
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS VERIFIED
Limbic System. amygdala
Gauge and modulate emotions/ thoughts of death and guilt,
Limbic system hippocampus
Affects memory/concentration less size/ neurogenesis in depression
Frontal cortex
Linked to depressed mood and problems concentrating. Reduced in size and
hyopactive in D, difficulty in thinking/planning-->rely on amygdala so response is
emotion based
Basal ganglia
Linked to psychomotor agitation or retardation
Hypothalamus
r/t loss of appetite, weight loss anhedonia (loss of pleasure) -- neurovegetative signs.
Neurotransmitters and depression
↓Serotonin: mood, sleep, impulsivity symptoms ↓Dopamine: pleasure, reward,
psychomotor activity, fatigue, low energy, cognition ↓Norepinephrine: mood, arousal,
appetite , planning, concentrating ↓ GABA: anxiety, agitation of depression ↑glutamate
& NMDA receptors in frontal lobe (↑ neuronal cell death
Glial cells
, ↓ in number and density in depression Glial cells protect neurons by stabilizing
glutamate & supplying glucose to the neurons (stick like glue)
Synthesize & release neurotropic factors (Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor: BDNF)
these can stabilize with ADM-
Extra cellular glutamate accumulates
Excess of glucocorticoids (HPA axis) Decreased GLIA PFC Fewer glial glutamate
transporters Neurons get exposed to glutamate and can no longer function Progressive
depression Damage to neurons (neurotoxicity) 2x greater risk of dementia with
depression! not enough stabilization with GABA
PFC hyperactivity
↑CRF released from hypothalamus ACTH released from pituitary Glucocorticoids
(cortisol) released from adrenal cortex Excessive glucocorticoid release may cause
hippo-campal atrophy Atrophy leads to chronic activation of HPA axisDepression,
anxiety result. Antidepressants can reverse
Hypothalamic Dysregulation Circadian Rhythms of Sleep
Delayed sleep onset
Shortened REM latency
Increased length of 1st REM period
Abnormal delta sleep
May be reported as lack of sleep or atypical feature
of hypersomnia
Antidepressant meds treat circadian dysregulation
and can restore normal sleep architecture
