HSC MISC Psych Exam 2 Review 2023- Florida International University
Concepts of Psychobiology:
Psychobiology:
● In recent years, a greater emphasis
... [Show More] has been placed on the study of the organic basis
for psychiatric illness.
● Frontal Lobe: plays a role in the emotional experience
○ Evidenced by changes in mood & character after damage to this area
○ Alterations: fear, aggressiveness, depression, rage, euphoria, irritability, apathy
■ Are likely related to a frontal lobe connection to the limbic system
○ Also involved (indirectly through fibers linked to primary sensory areas) in
thinking & perceptual interpretation of information
● The Limbic System (a.k.a the “emotional brain”):
○ Associated w/ feelings of fear & anxiety; anger & aggression; love, joy, & hope;
sexuality & social behavior
The Nervous System - A Review:
● Neurotransmitters → chemicals that convey information across synaptic clefts to
neighboring target cells
○ Important role in human emotions & behavior
○ Are the target for the M.O.A in many psychotropic medications
○ Many exist in the CNS & PNS, but only limited # have implications for psychiatry
○ Major Categories of Neurotransmitters:
■ Cholinergics → acetylcholine
■ Monoamines → norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, histamine
■ Amino acids:
● Inhibitory → GABA, glycine
● Excitatory → glutamate, aspartate
■ Neuropeptides → opioids, substance P, somatostatin
● Substance P (SP) is an 11-amino acid-long neuropeptide
expressed by the CNS, PNS, & immune cells
Neuroendocrinology:
● Circadian Rhythms in humans follow a near-24-hour cycle & may influence a variety of
regulatory functions, including:
○ Sleep-wake cycle
○ Body temperature regulation
○ Patterns of activity, such as eating & drinking
○ Hormone secretion
● Some mood disorders have been linked to increased secretion of melatonin during
darkness hours
● Symptoms that occur during the premenstrual cycle have been linked to disruptions in
biological rhythms
Genetics:
● Behavioral genetics clarifies the role that genetic factors play in determining behavior
● Likely that psychiatric disorders are the result of a genetic & environmental influences
combination
● Genotype → total set of genes in an individual
● Phenotypes → characteristics that are not only genetic but also may be acquired
● Studied to determine etiological factors:
○ Familial, Genetic, Twin studies, Adoption studies
Psychoimmunology:
● The implications of the immune system in psychiatric illness
● In studies of the biological response to stress, it's been hypothesized that individuals
become more susceptible to physical illness following exposure to a stressful stimulus or
life event
○ During times of stress, the immune system is suppressed
■ Resulting in suppression of the lymphocyte proliferation & function
○ Neurochemicals that may influence the immune system:
■ Growth hormone, testosterone, serotonin, norepi-&-epinephrine
○ Decreased immunity also associated w/ grief, bereavement, & depression
■ Also w/ alcoholism, autism & dementia
● The role of neuroimmunology remains unclear in the relationship to the onset & course
of schizophrenia
Psychopharmacology:
● Psychotropic medication (a.k.a “neuroleptics”):
○ Medications that affect psychic function, behavior, or experience
○ Intended to be used as adjunct to individual or group psychotherapy
○ Psychotropic meds DO NOT resolve emotional problems! ONLY relieve physical
& behavioral symptoms
● Nursing Role:
○ Ethical & legal implications
○ Assessment, medication administration & evaluation
○ Pt education
● How Psychotropics Work:
○ Action occurs mostly at neuronal synapse
○ Each med affects neurotransmission, but the specific drugs w/in each class have
varying neuronal effects (exact M.O.A are unknown)
○ Many neuronal effects occur acutely; but therapeutic effects can take weeks. Ex:
■ Antidepressants → block reuptake of serotonin & norepinephrine
■ Antipsychotics → block dopamine receptors, & some affect muscarinic
cholinergic, histaminergic, & alpha-adrenergic receptors
● “Atypical” (or novel) antipsychotics block a specific serotonin
receptor
○ Benzodiazepines → facilitate the transmission of GABA
○ Psychostimulants → increase release of serotonin, norepinephrine, & dopamine
Nursing Implications:
● Emphasis in psychiatric nursing is on a smooth transition from a psychosocial approach
to a biopsychosocial focus
● Psychiatric nurses must integrate knowledge of the biological sciences into their
practices if they are to ensure safe & effective care to people w/ mental illness.
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