Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 6th Edition

Chapter 4
Concepts of Psychobiology

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Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 6th Edition

Introduction
In recent years, a greater emphasis has been placed on the study of the organic basis for psychiatric illness.

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Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 6th Edition

The Nervous System: Review

THE BRAIN
Forebrain
Cerebrum

Diencephalon

Midbrain
Mesencephalon

Hindbrain Pons Medulla Cerebellum

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Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 6th Edition

The Nervous System: Review

NERVE TISSUE
Neuronscomposed of Cell body Axons Dendrites Classes of neurons Afferent Efferent Interneurons Synapses Neurotransmitters
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Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 6th Edition

Autonomic Nervous System

The Nervous System: Review

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Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 6th Edition

The Nervous System: Review

Neurotransmitters play an important role in human emotions and behavior, and are the target for the mechanism of action in many psychotropic medications. Major categories of neurotransmitters

Cholinergics Monoamines Amino acids Neuropeptides

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Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 6th Edition

Neuroendocrinology
Pituitary gland
Posterior lobe
Vasopressin Oxytocin

Anterior lobe
Growth hormone Thyroid-stimulating hormone Adrenocorticotropic hormone Prolactin Gonadotropic hormones Melanocyte-stimulating hormone
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Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 6th Edition

Neuroendocrinology
Circadian rhythms
Follow a near24-hour cycle in humans and may influence a variety of regulatory functions, including the sleep-wake cycle, body temperature regulation, patterns of activity such as eating and drinking, and hormone secretion.

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Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 6th Edition

Neuroendocrinology
Some mood disorders have been linked to increased secretion of melatonin during darkness hours. Symptoms that occur during the premenstrual cycle have been linked to disruptions in biological rhythms.

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Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 6th Edition

Neuroendocrinology
Sleep-wake cycle is one of the most common biological rhythms that demonstrates circadian influence. Sleep stages 0Alpha 1Beta 2Theta 3Delta 4Delta REMBeta
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Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 6th Edition

Neuroendocrinology
Neurochemical influences on sleep-wake cycle
Serotonin and L-tryptophan Norepinephrine GABA Acetylcholine

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Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 6th Edition

Genetics

Behavioral genetics clarifies the role that genetic factors play in determining behavior. Genotypetotal set of genes in an individual Phenotypescharacteristics that are not only genetic but also may be acquired Studies to determine etiological factors:
Familial Genetic Twin studies Adoption studies
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Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 6th Edition

Psychoimmunology
Normal immune response
Cellular immune response Humoral response Antibodies

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Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 6th Edition

Psychoimmunology
Implications for psychiatric illness
Studies have shown that during times of stress, the

immune system is suppressed, resulting in a suppression of lymphocyte proliferation and function. Certain neurochemicals may influence the immune system:
Growth hormone Testosterone Epinephrine and norepinephrine Serotonin
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Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 6th Edition

Psychoimmunology
Implications for psychiatric illness (cont.)
Decreased immunity has been associated with grief, bereavement, and depression. Immunological abnormalities have also been associated with alcoholism, autism, and dementia. The role of neuroimmunology remains unclear in the relationship to onset and course of schizophrenia.

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Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 6th Edition

Implications for Nursing

Emphasis in psychiatric nursing is on a smooth transition from a psychosocial approach to a biopsychosocial focus.

Copyright 2009. F.A. Davis Company

Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 6th Edition

Implications for Nursing

Psychiatric nurses must have a specialized knowledge about
Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology

Neuronal processes Neuroendocrinology Circadian rhythms Genetic influences Psychoimmunology Psychopharmacology Diagnostic technology

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