Depression and Anxiety in PolyQ Spinocerebellar Ataxia

Maring, Berdien (2023) Depression and Anxiety in PolyQ Spinocerebellar Ataxia. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

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Abstract

Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by progressive cerebellar dysfunction. Beyond the well-documented motor impairments, recent studies have shed light on the significant comorbidity of depression and anxiety in individuals with SCA. This review aims to determine what the origin of depression and anxiety in polyQ SCAs is. It is expected that besides the emotional component the underlying pathology of SCA contributes to depression and anxiety as well. Literature shows that depression is present among all types of polyglutamine SCAs with a higher prevalence compared to the general population and that anxiety is most described in SCA3. SCA3 patients are the worst affected by depression. Based on the largest studies, a relation between SARA scores and depression is likely. On the other hand, the length of the CAG repeat is not related to the severity of depression. Despite advancement in understanding the pathology of SCA it is still not clear what the effect of the extended CAG repeats is on the human brain. This also applies to the involvement of the cerebellum in depression and anxiety. Several SCA mouse models are available to study depressive and anxious behavior in SCA. However, the current published studies have to many limitations to draw conclusions from them. When taken all the research in consideration depression and anxiety in polyQ SCAs can be biological or emotionally reactive from origin, or maybe even

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Verbeek, D.S.
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	17 Jul 2023 09:39
Last Modified:	17 Jul 2023 09:39
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/30657

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