16. The Biological Approach To Explaining OCD AO1 Flashcards
What are the two biological explanations to explaining OCD?
- Genetic explanations
- Neural explanations
What are candidate genes?
Genes that researchers have identified as creating a vulnerability for OCD
Name two genes present in OCD
- serotonin
- dopamine
Give an example of a serotonin gene
5HT1-D
Explain serotonin genes
They are implicated in the transmission of serotonin across synapses
Explain dopamine genes
They’re also implicated in OCD
What do both dopamine and serotonin have in common?
The both neurotransmitters that play a role in regulating mood
How many genes are involved in OCD?
Up to 230 different genes may be involved
Outline how different types of OCD occur in different people
One group of genes may cause OCD in one person but a different group of genes may cause the disorder in another person
What is aetiologically heterogeneous?
One group of genes may cause OCD in one person but a different group of genes may cause the disorder in another person
What is it called when one group of genes causes OCD in one person but not in another person?
aetiologically heterogeneous
What else is there evidence for in genetic explanations of OCD?
Different types of OCD may be the result of a particular genetic variation, such as hoarding
What is the role of neurotransmitters?
Neurotransmitters are responsible for relaying information from one neuron to another
What can OCD be associated with?
Impaired decision-making
What could impaired decision-making be associated with?
Abnormal functioning of the lateral and frontal lobes of the brain
What is the frontal lobe responsible for?
Logical thinking and making decisions
What is responsible for processing unpleasant emotions?
Parahippocampal gyrus
What is parahippocampal gyrus dysfunction?
Evidence suggests it is associated with processing unpleasant emotions
What was Nestadt’s study?
Reviewed twin studies and found that 68% of identical twins shared OCD as opposed to 31% of non-identical twins which strongly supports a genetic influence on OCD
What is having two disorders together called?
Co-morbidity
How does the parahippocampal gyrus act in OCD
functions abnormally and OCD
