Psychiatric disorders
In this section, we will cover a number of disorders that haven't been covered elsewhere in the course. We'll start with psychiatric disorders, including depression, schizophrenia, OCD, and PTSD.
Depression and seasonal affective disorder
1) Watch these videos:
Schizophrenia
1) Watch this video:
2) Then, read this article: Know Your Brain - Schizophrenia
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
1) Watch this video:
2) Then, read this article: Know Your Brain - Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
1) Watch this video:
Finally, answer these questions to test your understanding:
1. Which of the following is an accepted treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
- A. blue-light blocking glasses worn throughout the day
- B. melatonin supplementation in the morning
- C. ketogenic diet
- D. bright light therapy
Show Answer
Correct answer: D
Bright light therapy is the most common treatment for seasonal affective disorder. Morning exposure to bright light may help to realign the circadian rhythm and improves mood symptoms in some patients.
2. Which of the following best describes the mechanism by which tricyclic antidepressants are thought to work to treat depression?
- A. blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine
- B. blocking dopamine receptors
- C. increasing the release of GABA
- D. activating glutamate receptors
Show Answer
Correct answer: A
Tricyclic antidepressants are thought to work to treat depression by blocking the reabsorption, or reuptake, of neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine.
3. Which of the following is considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
- A. blunted emotion
- B. auditory hallucinations
- C. difficulty experiencing pleasure
- D. memory deficits
Show Answer
Correct answer: B
Positive symptoms of schizophrenia involve the development of a behavior or thought pattern that isn’t normally present, such as hallucinations and/or delusions. Negative symptoms involve the loss of a normal function, and cognitive symptoms are those that affect someone’s ability to think clearly.
4. Which of the following brain structures is most closely associated with the abnormal brain activity seen in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
- A. visual cortex
- B. medulla
- C. basal ganglia
- D. hypothalamus
Show Answer
Correct answer: C
The basal ganglia are involved in habit formation and the regulation of motor and cognitive routines. In OCD, abnormal activity in the basal ganglia is thought to contribute to the intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors that characterize the disorder.
5. Although the neuroscience of PTSD is not fully understood, one supported hypothesis suggests that the disorder involves increased activity in the _________ and decreased activity in areas of the _________.
- A. amygdala, prefrontal cortex
- B. nucleus accumbens, amygdala
- C. cerebellum, hippocampus
- D. insula, ventral tegmental area
Show Answer
Correct answer: A
One supported hypothesis suggests that PTSD involves decreased activity in the medial prefrontal cortex and increased activity in subnuclei of the amygdala that are involved in the identification of threats.
