Question 1

Researchers were searching for drugs to treat schizophrenia when they came across imipramine, which alleviated the symptoms of depression, although it was not effective against schizophrenia. It became the first of a class of drugs, all sharing a similar molecular structure, called:

Accepted Answer

The passage states that imipramine was the first of a class of drugs with a similar molecular structure that alleviated the symptoms of depression, called tricyclics.

Question 2

Typical consumers of nutraceuticals:

Accepted Answer

Typical consumers of nutraceuticals often have easy access to a variety of products, but they may not always understand interactions, learn from valid sources, or discuss with physicians.

Question 3

Today, electroconvulsive therapy:

Accepted Answer

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) involves the use of muscle relaxants to prevent the strong muscle contractions that may result in bone fractures or dislocations. Anesthesia is also given to the patient to reduce discomfort during the procedure. Insulin coma therapy is not considered a form of ECT. Unilateral ECT is preferred over bilateral ECT to reduce the risk of memory loss.

Question 4

An individual receiving a treatment for depression is happier because of higher levels of norepinephrine in his or her brain. What treatment is this person MOST likely receiving?

Accepted Answer

The answer of An individual receiving a treatment for depression...

Question 5

Which is NOT a reason why people with depression take nutraceuticals?

Accepted Answer

The reason why people with depression take nutraceuticals include being not helped by conventional treatments, inability to afford conventional treatments, preferring more natural treatments. However, preferring modern medications is not a reason to take nutraceuticals.

Question 6

MAO inhibitors are biochemical agents that alleviate depressive symptoms in approximately half of the clinically depressed patients who take them. What is the mechanism of action of these drugs?

Accepted Answer

MAO inhibitors interfere with the destruction of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, allowing these neurotransmitters to accumulate in the synapse and enhance their effects on mood and behavior.

Question 7

Which statement is the MOST important reason for the decline in the use of electroconvulsive therapy since the 1950s?

Accepted Answer

Antidepressant drugs were developed, providing a less invasive and more widely accepted treatment option for depression. This decreased the use of electroconvulsive therapy as a primary treatment method. The other options (A, B, and D) may be contributing factors, but they are not the MOST important reason for the decline.

Question 8

People who take MAO inhibitors and want to decrease the risk of negative side effects would make the greatest changes in which aspect of life?

Accepted Answer

People who take MAO inhibitors should avoid certain foods that contain tyramine, which can cause a dangerous spike in blood pressure. Therefore, making changes to their diet can significantly decrease the risk of negative side effects.-options B, C, and D are not directly related to the risks associated with MAO inhibitors.

Question 9

If you had high blood pressure, you would want to be especially careful when using:

Accepted Answer

MAO inhibitors can interact with medications or foods containing tyramine, which can cause a sudden and dangerous increase in blood pressure, especially in people with high blood pressure. Therefore, if you have high blood pressure, it is important to be careful when using MAO inhibitors.

Question 10

St. John's wort:

Accepted Answer

St. John's wort is inexpensive compared to pharmaceuticals, however, it has not been proven to be effective in treating severe depression and can produce undesirable effects. It is also available without a prescription.

Question 11

Which is MOST likely to elevate the mood in a person with depression?

Accepted Answer

An increase in the levels of norepinephrine is most likely to elevate the mood in a person with depression. This is because norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating mood and is often low in people with depression. Medications that increase the levels of norepinephrine, such as SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), are commonly used to treat depression.

Therefore, inhibition of serotonin synthesis (A) and blocking synaptic transmission at norepinephrine synapses (D) are both unlikely to elevate mood, as they would decrease levels of important neurotransmitters. A decrease in the levels of serotonin (B) may not necessarily elevate mood, as serotonin plays a complex role in regulating mood and has different effects in different individuals.

Question 12

Ugo Cerletti, the first psychiatrist to use ECT effectively, later abandoned the procedure because of:

Accepted Answer

Ugo Cerletti abandoned ECT because of the likelihood that convulsions caused by it would result in broken bones and dislocated joints.

Question 13

The nutraceutical SAM-e:

Accepted Answer

SAM-e is often used as an alternative or adjunct treatment for depression, as it has been shown to have mood-regulating effects. It is not associated with more severe side effects than traditional antidepressants, and its cost may vary depending on the brand and dosage. It was first discovered in Italy, but has been studied and used in various countries, including the United States.

Question 14

What do ECT, vagus nerve stimulation, and transcranial magnetic stimulation have in common?

Accepted Answer

ECT, vagus nerve stimulation, and transcranial magnetic stimulation all involve some form of brain stimulation and have been found to be effective in treating severe forms of depression.

Question 15

MAO inhibitors work by:

Accepted Answer

MAO inhibitors work by blocking the enzyme MAO from breaking down neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine, thereby increasing their availability in the brain. This helps to relieve symptoms associated with depression and anxiety. MAO inhibitors also have the potential to interact with certain foods that contain tyramine, an amino acid that can cause a dangerous spike in blood pressure when combined with MAO inhibitors. As such, individuals taking MAO inhibitors must follow a strict dietary regimen.

Question 16

How do monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors work?

Accepted Answer

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) work by inhibiting the activity of the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which breaks down neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. By inhibiting this enzyme, MAOIs increase the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain.

Question 17

If you live in the United States, you can be assured that:

Accepted Answer

The statement about being exposed to advertisements from the multibillion-dollar dietary supplement industry is the only one that is accurate. Dietary supplements do not receive the same level of scrutiny as prescribed medication from the FDA, and claims about their effectiveness may not be based on solid research. While some research on dietary supplements may be conducted in the United States, it is not the center for all research on these products.

Question 18

Corrina took an antidepressant and then ate a meal. Shortly thereafter her blood pressure skyrocketed and she felt faint. Which statement is MOST likely to be true?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are most likely due to a reaction between the antidepressant and tyramine in the food. This reaction can occur with certain types of antidepressants, including MAO inhibitors, and can cause a dangerous increase in blood pressure. It is important for individuals taking antidepressants to avoid foods high in tyramine. The other options are less likely to be true based on the information given.

Question 19

ECT has changed over the years. Patients given this treatment now may receive:

Accepted Answer

ECT is now given with muscle relaxants to reduce the risk of fractures and other injuries caused by intense muscle contractions during the seizure that occurs as a result of the treatment. Higher levels of current, oxygen, and insulin are not standard practices in modern ECT.

Question 20

The mechanism of action of imipramine is to:

Accepted Answer

Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, increasing their levels in the synaptic cleft and enhancing neurotransmission. This increased neurotransmission is thought to be responsible for its antidepressant effects.

Quiz 8: Treatments for Depressive and Bipolar Disorders