Uttarakhand CHO - 2021
Mental Health Nursing
Easy
Which of the following neurotransmitters' low levels lead to depression?
Appeared in: Uttarakhand CHO - 2021
Explanation
- The monoamine hypothesis is a foundational theory explaining the biological basis of depression.
- It posits that depression is caused by a deficiency of monoamine neurotransmitters, most notably Serotonin (5-HT) and Norepinephrine (NE).
- Low levels of serotonin are linked to issues with mood, anxiety, and obsession.
- Low levels of norepinephrine are associated with decreased alertness, energy, and attention.
- Most antidepressant medications, such as SSRIs and SNRIs, work by increasing the levels of these specific neurotransmitters in the brain.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, and its deficiency is more strongly linked to anxiety disorders than depression. Furthermore, some theories suggest that acetylcholine levels may be elevated, not low, in depression.
- Option C: Somatostatin, Substance P, and Glycine are not the primary neurotransmitters implicated in the monoamine hypothesis of depression. Their roles are secondary or not as well-established.
- Option D: The role of glutamate in depression is complex. Evidence suggests that excessive glutamate stimulation (excitotoxicity), rather than a deficiency, may contribute to neuronal damage in depression. Ketamine, an antidepressant for treatment-resistant cases, works by blocking glutamate receptors (NMDA antagonist).
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The role of neurotransmitters in the pathophysiology of depression, specifically the monoamine hypothesis as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- Understanding the monoamine hypothesis is crucial for nurses to explain the rationale behind antidepressant therapy to patients.
- It explains why medications like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are prescribed and why they may take several weeks to become effective.
- Patient education should include the importance of medication adherence and the time lag before therapeutic effects are felt, which helps manage expectations and improve outcomes.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the relationship between 'low levels' of 'neurotransmitters' and 'depression'.
- Recall the major biological theory of depression: the monoamine hypothesis.
- This hypothesis specifically links deficiencies in serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA) to depressive symptoms.
- Scan the options to find the one that lists these key monoamines.
- Option B (Norepinephrine, Serotonin) directly aligns with the monoamine hypothesis.
- Eliminate the other options by recalling the primary functions of those neurotransmitters (e.g., GABA with anxiety, the complex role of Glutamate).
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: The role of neurotransmitters in the pathophysiology of depression, specifically the monoamine hypothesis.
- Stem keywords: neurotransmitters, low levels, depression
- Lead-in keywords: Which of the following
Question ID
QTDJhLsGO7E1MkGyvsrGkl
Reference Book
E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) pp. 1268-1270, 1269-1271
E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 5336-5338
Practise the full Uttarakhand CHO - 2021
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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