PSYCH 14 Lecture Notes - Lecture 23: Slow-Wave Sleep, Rapid Eye Movement Sleep, Adrenal Cortex
Document Summary
Low levels of serotonin result in emotional reactions in the causes of mood disorders but only in relation to neurotransmitters including norepinephrine and dopamine. The balance of neurotransmitters and their interaction with the systems of self regulation are more important than the absolute level of any one neurotransmitter. Dopamine manic episodes: a typical depression or depression with psychotic features. Chronic stress reduces dopamine levels and produces depressive like behavior. Over activity in the hpa (hypothalamic pituitary adrenocortical axis) Neurohormones: hormone that affects the brain and is increasingly the focus of the study of psychopathology. Stress hormone-> elevated levels during stressful life events. Decrease a key ingredient that keeps neurons healthy and growing, heightened levels of stress hormones leads to shrinkage of brain structure in the hippocampus. In people who are depressed there is a significantly shorter period after falling asleep before rem (rapid eye movement) Slow wave sleep- deepest sleep- may not occur at all with those who are depressed.
