Biopsych week 4 notes

    Master this deck with 48 terms through effective study methods.

    Imported from Quizlet

    Created by @katarina19

    Drug

    A substance with a physiological effect when taken

    Agonist

    Drug that activates a receptor

    Antagonist

    Drug that blocks a receptor

    Affinity

    How strongly a drug binds a receptor

    Efficacy

    How strongly a drug activates a receptor after binding

    Nucleus accumbens

    Reward center driven by dopamine

    Craving

    Dopamine‑driven search for reward; triggered by cues

    Tolerance

    Needing higher dose for same effect

    Withdrawal

    Symptoms when stopping a drug

    Behavioral addiction

    Non‑drug behaviors causing dopamine release (e.g., gambling)

    Methadone

    Slow‑acting opioid substitute; prevents 'rush'

    Disulfiram

    Makes alcohol cause nausea; discourages drinking

    Major depressive disorder

    Persistent sadness + no pleasure (anhedonia)

    MDD brain activity

    More right prefrontal activity than left

    Monoamine theory

    Low serotonin/dopamine/norepinephrine in depression

    SSRI

    Blocks serotonin reuptake (↑ serotonin)

    SNRI

    Blocks serotonin + norepinephrine reuptake

    MAOI

    Blocks monoamine breakdown (↑ monoamines)

    Ketamine

    Fast antidepressant; NMDA antagonist

    rTMS

    Magnetic stimulation for depression

    BDNF

    Protein for neuron growth; lower in depression

    Exercise + depression

    Increases BDNF; improves mood

    SAD

    Seasonal depression (usually winter)

    SAD cause

    SCN/circadian rhythm dysfunction

    SAD treatment

    Bright‑light therapy

    Bipolar disorder

    Cycles of mania + depression

    Bipolar I

    Full mania episodes

    Bipolar II

    Hypomania (mild mania)

    Mania

    Restless activity, impulsive behavior, reduced inhibition

    Bipolar brain

    ↑ glucose in mania; overactive amygdala; low frontal control

    Bipolar treatments

    Lithium, valproate, carbamazepine (reduce glutamate activity)

    Schizophrenia

    6+ months dysfunction + 2 symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, etc.)

    Positive symptoms

    Hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech/behavior

    Negative symptoms

    Flat emotion, low speech, social withdrawal

    Cognitive symptoms

    Attention + memory problems

    Schizo brain changes

    Less gray/white matter; large ventricles; small hippocampus

    Dopamine hypothesis

    Too much dopamine at D2 receptors

    Glutamate hypothesis

    Too little glutamate; NMDA receptor underactivity

    PCP relevance

    PCP blocks NMDA → produces schizophrenia‑like symptoms

    Antipsychotics

    Block D2 receptors

    Second‑gen antipsychotics

    More serotonin/glutamate effect; fewer motor side effects

    ASD core signs

    Social deficits, communication issues, repetitive behaviors

    ASD sensory signs

    Very strong or weak sensory reactions

    ASD developmental sign

    Normal eye contact at 2 months → declines later

    ASD risk factors

    Genetic factors; high fetal testosterone/progesterone

    ASD protective factor

    Folic acid during pregnancy reduces risk

    ASD treatment

    Behavioral therapy for social + behavioral skills

    ASD meaning

    Autism Spectrum Disorder