Persistent Depressive Disorder Persistent Depressive Disorder Neurobiology & Etiology

Question 1

Which neurotransmitter system is most commonly implicated in the pathophysiology of persistent depressive disorder?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

GABA

Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 2

Which neuroendocrine axis shows chronic dysregulation in persistent depressive disorder, resulting in elevated basal cortisol?

Accepted Answer

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis

Answer

Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis

Answer

Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis

Answer

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

Question 3

Which brain structure consistently shows reduced volume on neuroimaging in patients with persistent depressive disorder?

Accepted Answer

Hippocampus

Answer

Cerebellum

Answer

Basal ganglia

Answer

Occipital lobe

Question 4

What is the estimated heritability of persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)?

Accepted Answer

35–45%

Answer

10–15%

Answer

20–25%

Answer

60–70%

Question 5

Which inflammatory markers have been consistently found elevated in individuals with persistent depressive disorder?

Accepted Answer

Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α

Answer

White blood cells and platelets

Answer

Anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 and IL-4

Answer

Complement proteins C3 and C4

Question 6

What is the primary mechanism by which reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) contributes to persistent depressive disorder?

Accepted Answer

It impairs synaptic plasticity and hippocampal neurogenesis

Answer

It directly lowers serotonin synthesis

Answer

It elevates cortisol production from the adrenal glands

Answer

It increases dopamine reuptake in the striatum

Question 7

Early childhood adversity increases risk for persistent depressive disorder primarily through which mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Epigenetic modifications affecting stress response gene expression

Answer

Direct permanent structural brain damage

Answer

Permanent reduction in immune function

Answer

Direct mutation of serotonin transporter genes