4. PSYCHOPATHOLOGY (THE BIOLOGICAL APPROACH TO EXPLAINING AND TREATING OCD: GENETIC AND NEURAL EXPLANATIONS) Flashcards
What is the Biological Approach to understanding OCD?
he Biological Approach focuses on how physical elements of the body, such as genes and neurotransmitters, contribute to the development of OCD.
How does genetics explain the development of OCD?
OCD can be inherited, with specific genes passed from parents to children, influencing the likelihood of developing the disorder. Studies show that genetic factors contribute between 45-65% of the risk for OCD.
What did Grootheest et al. (2005) find in their review of twin studies on OCD?
Grootheest et al. (2005) found that OCD can be inherited, with genetic influence ranging from 45 to 65%, suggesting a genetic component to OCD development.
What is the role of the COMT gene in OCD?
The COMT gene regulates dopamine production. A variant of this gene, which leads to lower activity of COMT and higher levels of dopamine, is more common in OCD patients.
What is the function of the SERT gene in OCD?
The SERT gene affects serotonin transport. A mutation in this gene is linked to OCD, as well as other disorders like depression and PTSD.
What is polygenic and how does it relate to OCD?
Polygenic refers to traits influenced by multiple genes. OCD is believed to be polygenic, with up to 230 genes potentially contributing to its development.
What is aetiological heterogeneity in relation to OCD?
Aetiological heterogeneity means that different combinations of genes may cause OCD in different individuals, rather than one specific gene causing the disorder in all cases.
What supporting evidence exists for the genetic explanation of OCD?
Studies show that people with a first-degree relative who has OCD have a five times greater risk of developing the disorder, supporting the genetic explanation of OCD.
What is a limitation of the genetic explanation for OCD?
The genetic explanation does not account for all cases of OCD, especially in adults. Evidence for a genetic link is stronger for childhood-onset OCD than for adult-onset OCD.
What is the issue of reductionism in the genetic explanation of OCD?
The genetic explanation is reductionist because it focuses solely on genetic factors, ignoring the role of environmental factors, such as trauma, in the development of OCD.
What is the neural explanation of OCD?
The neural explanation suggests that OCD is linked to abnormal neurotransmitter levels (dopamine and serotonin) and abnormal brain functioning, particularly in areas like the frontal lobes and parahippocampal gyrus.
How are dopamine and serotonin involved in OCD?
High levels of dopamine and low levels of serotonin are associated with OCD. These neurotransmitter imbalances contribute to compulsive behaviours.
What is the role of the worry circuit in OCD?
The worry circuit involves the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), caudate nucleus, and thalamus. Dysfunction in these brain areas causes excessive worry and repetitive behaviours in OCD.
What is the role of the caudate nucleus in the brain’s worry circuit?
The caudate nucleus helps suppress worry signals. In OCD, if the caudate nucleus is not functioning properly, excessive worry signals are not suppressed, leading to compulsive behaviour.
How does infection and neural damage relate to OCD?
Infections, like streptococcal throat infections, may cause neural damage that contributes to OCD symptoms, suggesting that some cases of OCD could be triggered by infections.
