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DTEB Domain
DTEB
87
Medical
Graduate
11/21/2013

Additional Medical Flashcards

 


 

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Term
Somatoform disorders (two definitions)
Definition
Definition 1: When one or more somatic symptoms causes distress and results in significant disruption in one's daily life leading to excessive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to these concerns and this state of being symptomatic is persistent.

Definition 2: When the severity of one or more sign and/ or symptom (typically limited to those that suggest a neurologic condition) cannot be explained using appropriate investigations, nor can they be attributed to the patient's use of substances or participation in culturally sanctioned behaviors (trances, hypnosis, or ceremonial traditions).
Term
Patients typically do not respond to medical reassurance. Patient continues to seek another opinion, demanding re-testing, and requesting medicines that are unwarranted.
Definition
Somatoform disorder
Term
Features of somatoform disorders
Definition
- Many doctors have been consulted
- Many diagnostic tests already done
- Many treatments tried and failed
- "I am here because I heard you will really listen to me and other doctors just think it is in my head"
- Iatrogenic symptom presentation
- Extensive use of medical system
- Poly pharmacy
- Multiple physician visits without a notation of a consistent primary care provider
Term
Somatic Symptom Disorder
Definition
Characterized by somatic symptoms that are either very distressing or result in significant disruption of functioning, as well as excessive and dispropriationate thoughts, feelings, and behaviors regarding those symptoms.

- Sx present for 6+ months.
Term
Pain Disorder
Definition
Preoccupation with severe, prolonged discomfort without adequate medical explanation. A co-existing medical condition does not completely explain the cause of the pain.
- Main complain in 1+ anatomical sites.
- Pain causes significant distress in the patient's life.
- Pain related to psychological factors.
Term
Hypochondriasis
Definition
Prolonged, exaggerated preoccupation with health and fear of having a serious illness.

- They misinterpret non-pathological bodily symptoms.
- Fears persist despite appropriate medical evaluation.
- Fears present for 6+ months.
Term
Conversion Disorder
Definition
Loss or impairment of function suggestive of a physical disorder that is instead an expression of a psychological conflict or need.

- At least one neurological symptom.
- Psychological factors associated with onset and severity of symptoms.
- Causes significant distress or dysfunction in daily life.
- La belle indifference - causal disregard toward alarming severe symptom is not the same as anosognosia.
Term
Factitious disorder
Definition
- Intentional production or feigning of signs or symptoms
- The motivation for the behavior is to assume the sick role (primary gain)
- No external incentives for the behavior present
- Either predominantly psychiatric or predominantly physical complaints
Term
Malingering
Definition
- Intentional production or feigning of signs or symptoms to achieve personal gain
- Multiple vague complaints that do not conform to a known medical condition yet they get better when their objective is obtained
- Patients pretend they are ill with an obvious external incentive
Term
Waddell signs
Definition
- Non anatomical
- Regional pain
- Overreaction to pain
- Distraction testing cannot reproduce response
- Voluntary weakness
Term
Factors highly correlated with the somatic patient
Definition
- Development of secondary gain by being "sick"
- Poor self image secondary to abuse history
- Impaired social skills or low emotional IQ
- Impaired occupational skills
- Ongoing unresolved disability claims
Term
Limbic system
Definition
The emotional processing part of the brain. Comprised of the
- Basal ganglia
- Deep temporal lobe (amygdala)
- Medial frontal lobe (nucleus accumbens)
- Subgenual cingulate (Brodmann's area 25)
- Lateral prefrontal cortex
- Various connecting tracts
Term
Serotonin transporter protein
Definition
Encoded by the SLC6A4 gene on chromosome 17. Variations in the length of the promotoer region of the gene (5-HTTLPR) have been associated with various psychiatric disorders. The serotonin transporter protein recycles serotonin for re-use in pre-synaptic neurons. Studies into this area have shown mixed results.
Term
What is the posed endocrine basis for depression?
Definition
Increased levels of cortisol are associated with decreased hippocampal volume. Decreased hippocampal volume is seen in depression. Increased cortisol is seen in depression.

-Estrogen is increased in females at puberty, and appears to sensitize neurotransmitter systems. Women have roughly double the risk of depression. Post-partum depression affects 10% of mothers.
Term
What is the effect of Ketamine on depression?
Definition
Blocks NMDA receptors and rapidly and dramatically improves depression in otherwise resistant patients. NMDA receptors are responsible for neuronal learning (long term potentiation).
Term
What is the posed inflammatory basis for depression?
Definition
Inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 and TNF) are increased in patients with depression. They decrease the availability of serotonin, and stimulate NMDA pathways.
Term
Criteria for a major depressive episode
Definition
Five or more of the following:
- Depressed mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure (Anhedonia)
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Psychomotor agitation or slowing
- Fatigue/ loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Difficulty concentrating
- Recurrent thoughts of death/ suicidal ideation or plan
- Symptoms present for at least 2 weeks
Term
Dysthymic Disorder (Persistent depressive disorder)
Definition
- Depressed mood on more days than not for the past two years.
- At least 2 symptoms from the depressive symptom cluster
Term
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Definition
Clear association of symptoms with a time of year (usually winter). September through April is common.
Term
Post-partum Depression
Definition
Occurring within 4 weeks of delivery.
Term
Pre-mentrual Depressive Disorder
Definition
- Worsening of symptoms several days before menses
- Mood lability, irritability, anger feeling "keyed up," depressive symptoms
- Significantly interferes with work, school, social activities, or relationships
Term
Melancholic Depression
Definition
Anhedonia, weight loss, sleep disturbance, psychomotor slowing, guilt.
Term
Atypical Depression
Definition
Mood reactivity (better during parts of the day), leaden paralysis, rejection sensitivity
Term
Psychotic Depression
Definition
Meets criteria for a major depressive episode, but with evidence of nihilistic or bizarre thoughts (I'm already dead; my organs have shriveled)
Term
Bipolar Disorders
Definition
Often are associated with major depressive episodes, but feature at least one manic or hypomanic episode
Term
Schizoaffective Disorders
Definition
Associated with depressive or manic symptoms, but psychotic symptoms persist even when mood symptoms are clear.
Term
Conditions commonly associated with depression
Definition
- Stroke
- Huntington Disease
- Alzheimer Disease
- Parkinson Disease
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Neurosyphilis
- Cushing Disease
- Hypothyroidism
Term
Epidemiology of Depression
Definition
- 1 Year: 3-10% risk
- Lifetime risk: 8-18% risk
- Twice as common in adult females
- Lower incidence in married couples
- More prevalent in socioeconomic classes
Term
Inheritance risk of Depression
Definition
-Risk of major depressive episode is 2-4x higher if a first degree relative has depression.
- Prevalence is 25-30% in those with a depressed family member
- Twin concordance = 37%
Term
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/ Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI/ SNRI)
Definition
- Generally first line therapy
- Fewer side effects than tricyclic medications
- Side effects: Sexual, nausea, somnolence, weight gain, potential drug interactions
Term
Tricyclic antidepressants
Definition
- Original medication treatment
- Still highly effective for melancholic symptoms
- High side effect burden due to antihistaminergic, anticholinergic, and adrenergic interactions.
- Overdose is more lethal than SSRI/ SNRI
Term
Atypical Agents
Definition
- Bupropion
- Mirtazepine
Term
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI's)
Definition
- Tranylcypromine
- Phenylzine

Mechanism of Action:
- Irreversibly inhibit monoamine oxidase, thereby slowing NE metabolism.

Usage:
- Effective for atypical depression

Side effects:
- Slowed NE metabolism requires effort to moderate NE production: Limit dietary tyramine
- Higher risk of serotonin syndrome when used with other serotonergic drugs or Meperidine.
Term
Electro-convulsive Therapy
Definition
- Reserved for treatment-resistant depression
- Effective for melancholic/ psychotic depression
- Never used for coercion or punishment
- Adverse effects: Memory, headache, anesthesia
- Therapy is typically 8-12 "acute" sessions (3x per week) then possibly maintenance to avoid relapse.
- Short-term remission rate is 60%, often see relapse unless medication therapy continued.
Term
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
Definition
- Pulsing magnetic coil induces pulses of electrical current in the brain beneath the coil
- Does not require anesthesia
- 20-30 sessions, 5x per week, 30 minutes per session
- Relatively high personnel and equipment costs
- Efficacy not clear; likely less than ECT
- Adverse effects include scalp sensitivity, headache
Term
Deep Brain Stimulation
Definition
- Surgically implanted electrodes (subgenual cingulate)
- Remarkable remission in approximately 50%
- Remains experimental; needs a large, double-blind study
Term
Cognitive/ Behavioral Therapy
Definition
- Identify and modify problem behavior
- Look for options instead of uniform negativity
- Highlight positives
- Examine expectations in relationships
- Identify distortions in thinking
- Limited number of sessions
- Repetitive exercises to "retrain" brain pathways
Term
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Definition
- Based on the relationships between individual and social circumstances
- 4 common areas of exploration:
1. Bereavement
2. Role transitions (losses)
3. Role disputes (relationship difficulties)
4. Interpersonal deficits (social isolation)
Term
Craving
Definition
Intense desire to re-experience the effects of a psychoactive substance even after long periods of abstinence
Term
Addiction
Definition
Primary, chronic disease of brain rewards, motivation, memory, and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychosocial, social, and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individuals pathologically pursuing reward and/ or relief by substance use and other behaviors.
Term
Endogenous reward system of the brain
Definition
Mesolimbic dopamine system
Term
Components of the mesolimbic dopamine system
Definition
- Ventral tegmental area (where DA nerve cel bodies reside)
- Nucleus accumbens
- Prefrontal cortex (where dopamine nerve terminals terminate)
Term
One partial cause of drug addiction
Definition
Powerful and long-lasting memories of the drug experience that "hijack" synaptic plasticity mechanisms in the mesolimbic dopamine system.
Term
What two areas of the mesolimbic system does the VTA directly project to?
Definition
- Prefrontal cortex (executive decisions)
- Nucleus accumbens (pleasure, reward)
Term
Is the amygdala part of the mesolimbic system?
Definition
No. However, it is connected with the prefrontal cortex. The amygdala participates in stress and anxiety responses.
Term
What is the mechanism of action of Methylphenidate?
Definition
Similar to cocaine in its enhancement of neurotransmission in the mesolimbic dopamine pathway by blocking the dopamine transporter.
Term
Target for opiate drugs
Definition
GABA interneurons. Function by disinhibition. AKA, they inhibit the tonic inhibition of the dopamine neurons, allowing them to release dopamine in the reward patwhay.
Term
Target for cocaine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine
Definition
Target the DA transporter in the presynaptic nerve terminals within the prefrontal cortex and the nucleus accumbens, thereby allowing DA to remain within the synaptic cleft for a prolonged period producing persistent activation of the mesolimbic dopamine reward system.
Term
What happens when the D1 receptor is activated?
Definition
The D1 receptors is a transmembrane receptor that when activated stimulates adenylyl cyclase. Activated adenylyl cyclase creates an increase in cyclic AMP. cAMP activates protein kinase A (PKA), which moves from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. PKA in the nucleus activates CREB, which along with CREB binding protein stimulates novel protein synthesis. Immediate early genes (c-Fos, Acute Fose proteins) are particularly activated by this pathway. Long term expression stimulates delta-FosB, which is implicated in long term changes/ addiction.
Term
What is delta-FosB?
Definition
A gene transcription factor that stimulates the production of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which stimulates dendrite proliferation, creating a long lasting change in neuronal structure and function.
Term
What is the difference between c-Fos and the acute FOS proteins compared to delta-FosB?
Definition
c-Fos and the acute FOS proteins have short half lives. They stimulate production of delta-FosB, which is a very stable transcription factor that accumulates with c-Fos and acute FOS activation. Delta-FosB stimulates BDNF, which creates long lasting changes in neuronal structure and function which are implicated in addiction.
Term
Drug tolerance
Definition
Repeaded drug exposure causes drug tolerance. Cells, tissues, and the individual become less sensitive to drug effects after repeated exposure.
Term
Short term drug tolerance
Definition
Drug occupation of the receptor causes desensitization due to receptor internalization to the endosome. This is a short term loss of drug sensitivity (minutes to hours).
Term
Long term drug tolerance
Definition
Continuous drug exposure causes receptor down regulation due to degradation in the lysosome. This is a long term response lasting days, weeks, or months. Requires synthesis of new receptors.
Term
Drug dependence is associated with:
Definition
- Drug withdrawal
- Disturbance of homeostasis
- Symptoms opposite in polarity to the effects of the drug
Term
What percentage of the risk of addition may be contributed to genetics?
Definition
Approximately 40-60%.
Term
What are endophenotypes?
Definition
Personality traits: antisocial behavior, risk taking, thrill seeking, impulsivity, and inability to learn from mistakes. All are associated with increased risk for drug addiction.
Term
Functional motility disorder
Definition
Multiple physiological determinants contributing to a set of symptoms rather than a single disease entity. A group of functional bowel disorders in which abdominal discomfort or pain is associated with a change in bowel habit, and with features of disordered defecation or gastric function.
Term
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Definition
A functional motility disorder with the following characteristics:
- At least 12 weeks, which need not be consecutive, in the preceding 12 months of abdominal discomfort or pain that has 2 of 3 features:
- Relieved with defecation
- Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool
- Onset associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool

Other symptoms associated with diagnosis (though not required):
- Abnormal stool frequency (3+ BM/ day or < 3 BM/ day)
- Abnormal stool form (lumpy/ hard or loose/ watery)
- Abnormal stool passage
- Passage of mucus
- Bloating or feeling of abdominal distention

*Always presumes absence of a structural or biochemical explanation.
Term
Alosetron MOA
Definition
Works as an antagonist specific for 5-HT3 receptors, which are found on neurons controlling gastrointestinal motility, and also in the amygdala and PFC of patients with IBS. Functionally, the drug reduces diarrhea in female IBS patients, and reduces activation of the amygdala and PFC in these patients.
Term
Simply speaking, the amygdala is the
Definition
Stress/ anxiety area of the brain
Term
Psychosocial factors that influence IBS
Definition
- History of emotional, sexual, or physical abuse
- Stressful life events
- Chronic anxiety
- Maladaptive coping style
Term
How is IBS treated?
Definition
Tricyclic antidepressants in low doses in conjunction with psychological therapies.
Term
Cognitive Development
Definition
Growing ability to filter and suppress irrelevant information and actions in favor of more relevant ones.
Term
Core deficits in ADHD include
Definition
Deficits in executive function; control of inhibitory responses; working memory; goald directed behavior; and emotional self control.
Term
Last area of the brain to develop
Definition
Temporal lobe (speech, language, reading, verbalization)
Term
Human cortical development takes at least this long to complete (if not longer)
Definition
20 years
Term
First line therapies for ADHD are:
Definition
Stimulant medications (Methylphenidate, Dextroamphetamine, and Atomoxetine)
Term
Atomoxetine is used to treat ______; It works by this mechanism:
Definition
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder;it is primarily a Norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitor.
Term
Methylphenidate and Dextroamphetamine are used to treat _______; They work by this mechanism:
Definition
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Both stimulate the release and inhibit the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, thereby enhancing the activity of these neurotransmitter systems.
Term
Nigrostriatal neurons originate in the:
Definition
Substantia nigra
Term
Nigrostriatal neurons densely innervate the
Definition
Caudate nucleus and putamen
Term
The Norepinephrine system in the brain has projections from the _______ to the _______
Definition
Locus coeruleus (pons); to the spinal cord, cerebellum, midbrain, hypothalamus, thalamus, the entire cerebral cortex, and the hippocampus.
Term
The Norepinephrine system is involved in:
Definition
- Vigilance
- Attention, arousal, and sleep-wake cycle
- Learning and memory
- Anxiety
- Pain regulation
Term
What is the heritability of ADHD?
Definition
60-80%
Term
Psychosis
Definition
A syndrome (mixture of symptoms) that may include: delusions, hallucinations, disordered speech and behavior, and distortions of reality.
Term
Delusion
Definition
Disturbance of though; persistent beliefs that are illogical and probably wrong
Term
Hallucination
Definition
Sensory perceptions that do not result from an external stimulus
Term
Psychosis is associated with:
Definition
- Drug abuse (cocaine, amphetamines, phencyclidine)
- Schizophrenia
- Other psychotic disorders (severe depression with psychotic features, dementias, manic phase of bipolar disorder)
Term
Schizophrenia
Definition
A group of chronic, devastating, disabling disorders that disrupt the capacity to think clearly and to feel normal emotions.
Term
Symptoms of schizophrenia typically appear during what age ranges for males and females?
Definition
Males: Late teens - Mid 20s.
Females: Early 20s - 30
Term
Positive symptoms in schizophrenia are _______ by antipsychotic drugs
Definition
Reduced
Term
Negative symptoms in schizophrenia are _________ by antipsychotic drugs
Definition
Exacerbated
Term
Positive symptoms is schizophrenia tend to be _______ and include:
Definition
Acute

1. Auditory Hallucinations
2. Delusions (erroneous beliefs)
3. Disorganized speech and behavior
4. Agitation
Term
Negative symptoms in schizophrenia tend to be _______ and include:
Definition
Chronic

1. Blunted affect
2. Emotional and social withdrawal (apathy)
3. Poverty of speech (alogia)
4. Lack of spontaneity and pleasure
Term
Cognitive deficits which may appear years before symptoms of psychosis and diagnosis of schizophrenia include:
Definition
- Inability to plan and organize
- Slow verbal learning and memory
- Poor attention and working memory
- Loss of executive functions (reason and problem solving
- Reduced speed of processing of thoughts
Term
What is the posed mechanism by which "positive" symptoms in schizophrenia develop?
Definition
There is a "functional" increase in the 'tone' of the mesolimbic system affecting cortical dopaminergic neuronal transmission.
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