Question 1

One of the most common treatment approaches for bipolar disorder involves a combination of both an ____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of One of the most common treatment approaches...

Question 2

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2006 the lifetime prevalence of any type of bipolar disorder in the United States was about____ percent.

Accepted Answer

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the lifetime prevalence of any type of bipolar disorder in the United States was about 4 percent in 2006. This statistic encompasses various forms of bipolar disorder, reflecting its significant impact on the population.

Question 3

Aside from the few drugs that treat both depressive and manic symptoms (mood stabilizers), bipolar disorder is treated with drugs typically used for ____.

Accepted Answer

Bipolar disorder is often treated with medications that are also used for seizures and psychotic symptoms. These include mood stabilizers and antipsychotic drugs, which can help manage both the manic and depressive phases of the disorder.

Question 4

The most common incorrect diagnosis for bipolar disorder is ____.

Accepted Answer

Depression is the most common incorrect diagnosis for bipolar disorder because bipolar disorder includes episodes of depression, and these depressive episodes can be more easily recognized or occur more frequently than manic or hypomanic episodes, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Question 5

Why is it critical to carefully monitor lithium dosing in patients?

Accepted Answer

Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index, meaning there is a small margin between therapeutic and toxic doses. This requires careful monitoring to avoid toxicity.

Question 6

What is an example of a pharmacogenetic factor that may affect the efficacy of antidepressant drugs?

Accepted Answer

The shorter variation of a serotonin transporter gene (often referred to as the "short allele" of the 5-HTTLPR gene) is a well-documented pharmacogenetic factor that can affect the efficacy of antidepressant drugs, particularly those that target the serotonin system, such as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). This genetic variation can influence how individuals respond to these medications, with some studies suggesting that individuals with one or two copies of the short allele may not respond as well to SSRIs as those with two long alleles.

Question 7

Lithium targets which enzyme?

Accepted Answer

Lithium is known to inhibit glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3), which plays a significant role in various cellular processes, including those related to mood regulation. This inhibition is one of the proposed mechanisms by which lithium exerts its therapeutic effects in bipolar disorder.

Question 8

According to the text, what is true of lithium's effectiveness in treating bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Lithium is more effective in treating manic symptoms than depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder. This is because lithium's mood-stabilizing properties are particularly effective at controlling mania, although it also has some impact on depressive episodes.

Question 9

What is an adverse effect caused by therapeutic doses of lithium?

Accepted Answer

Lithium can cause nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, leading to increased urination (polyuria) as an adverse effect, even at therapeutic doses.

Question 10

Which type of bipolar disorder exhibits depression and episodes of less-severe mania?

Accepted Answer

Type II bipolar disorder is characterized by patterns of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, which are less severe than the full-blown manic episodes typically seen in Type I bipolar disorder.

Question 11

What have neuroimaging studies revealed about bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Brain lesions in the right hemisphere produce manic episodes, while lesions in the left hemisphere produce depressive episodes.

Question 12

Research suggests that anticonvulsant drugs treat bipolar disorder through what mechanism of action?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Research suggests that anticonvulsant drugs treat bipolar...

Question 13

Researchers have developed animal behavioral procedures that, although not resembling depression, accurately predict antidepressant efficacy. Discuss three such models, providing a description of each model and using specific examples from the text to support the utility of these tests in testing antidepressant drugs.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Researchers have developed animal behavioral procedures that,...

Question 14

After undergoing an MRI scan, bipolar disorder patient Tiana finds out that she has a UBO (unidentified bright object). What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

UBOs, or unidentified bright objects, appear as areas of increased signal intensity on T2-weighted MRI scans, typically indicating excessive activity or changes in the white matter rather than the gray matter of the brain.

Question 15

Which type of bipolar disorder exhibits depression and episodes of severe mania?

Accepted Answer

Type I bipolar disorder is characterized by depressive episodes as well as episodes of severe mania, distinguishing it from Type II, which involves hypomania instead of full mania, and Types III and IV, which are not recognized classifications in the diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

Question 16

What was the first mood stabilizer found to be effective for the treatment of bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Lithium was the first mood stabilizer discovered to be effective in treating bipolar disorder, significantly reducing the frequency and severity of manic episodes.

Question 17

Why is it thought that a Val66Met polymorphism existing on the gene for BDNF may lead to decreased treatment responses to antidepressants (Horstmann & Binder, 2009; Shimizu, Hashimoto, & Iyo, 2004)?

Accepted Answer

The Val66Met polymorphism on the BDNF gene is thought to lead to decreased treatment responses to antidepressants because it may result in reduced levels of the TrkB receptors. BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) plays a crucial role in the survival, development, and function of neurons. Its interaction with TrkB receptors is essential for these processes. A reduction in TrkB receptor levels can impair neuronal function and plasticity, potentially diminishing the effectiveness of antidepressants that rely on these mechanisms to exert their therapeutic effects.

Question 18

The authors of the text conclude that lithium's efficacy for bipolar disorder derives from its ____.

Accepted Answer

Lithium's efficacy for bipolar disorder is attributed to its neuroprotective effects, which help stabilize mood and protect the brain from damage that may be caused by the disorder's extreme mood swings.

Question 19

Who is credited with discovering lithium's effectiveness in treating bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

John Cade, an Australian psychiatrist, is credited with discovering the effectiveness of lithium in treating bipolar disorder in the late 1940s.

Question 20

Describe the role of pharmacogenetics in modulating a patient's responsiveness to antidepressant medication. Use specific examples, as discussed in the text, to illustrate your points.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the role of pharmacogenetics in modulating...

Quiz 13: Treatments for Depression and Bipolar Disorder