NEUR 1201 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Frontal Lobe, Anxiety Disorder, Amygdala
Document Summary
Neurobiology of gad: not associated with the sns over-activity, autonomic restrictors sns is actually less responsive to stressors. Worry also seems to paradoxically increase pns activation: show increased activation of the frontal lobes (plans, analyzes actions) in response to stressful stimuli. Indicative of their frantic intense thought processes about whatever is worrying them. A highly simplified synthesis: disorder that is primarily anxiety-based, people with this condition show increased pfc activity and reduced sns activity, panic disorder is fear-based. Decreased pfc activity and increased limbic and sns activity. Pharmacological treatment of anxiety: some turn to alcohol, high rate of comorbid anxiety disorders in alcoholic patients. Gad and social anxiety being most common: drugs that treat anxiety are called anxiolytics. Broadly classified as fast-acting (panic disorder) or slow-acting (gad: benzodiazepines are drugs that are agonists at gaba receptors. They increase inhibitory signaling in the brain, leading to sedation and relaxation.
