Answer each item at the cellular level using information using molecular biology content (neurotransmitters, hormones, etc.), and include anatomical areas affected and/or pathways. See the syllabus regarding 7th ed. APA use. Title page not required. Citations and a reference page required. Each written response must be numbered. 

Case

A 32-year-old female with a history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and RA associated paresthesia to hands and feet has a primary complaint of being depressed. She is currently a graduate student in an academic program and works part time at the university library. She reports finding it harder to keep course information in her head and has to reread a lot. Sometimes she feels so tired it’s hard to complete her school work. She mentions feeling stressed all the time. She gets more depressed and stressed when co-workers at her job and peers in her classes act like she is a slacker when she gets RA exacerbations. 

1. Based on the reported manifestations, explain how chronic stress impacts the hippocampi.
2. Explain why individuals with chronic pain develop depression.
3. Explain how RA leads to neuropathic pain.
4. Explain how systemic inflammation from her RA exacerbations increases her depressive symptoms?
5. In speaking with her, you find out that she really does not go out with her friends or family. She has no desire to go out and when she does, she feels no pleasure or fun. She feels like she ruins everyone’s fun. Explain what may be occurring in the brain to manifest her lack of wanting to spend time with family/friends and to participate in social activities.