8- Biological Explanation of OCD Flashcards
what does the biological explanation address when explaining OCD?
Genetic and Neural Explanations
what does the genetic explanation suggest the cause for OCD is?
OCD is inherited from specific genes inherited from the parents
name the three researchers that provide evidence for the genetic explanation
- Bellodi et al 2001
- Mckeon and Murray
- Pauls et al
outline Bellodi et als research
Twin studies:
showed close relatives are more likely to have OCD than distant
what is the neural explanation of OCD?
the idea that the neurotransmitter sertonin has a part in OCD
also that SERT gene can cause lower levels of serotonin
where does evidence supporting serotonin levels can treat OCD?
Piggott et al (1990) found antidepressant drugs increased the levels of serotonin in the synaptic gap and was an effective treatment for OCD
what genes does the genetic explanations identify?
candidate genes which implicate OCD,
COMT and SERT
what is the COMT gene?
the gene COMT gene is associated with the production of COMT, it:
- regulates the neurotransmitter dopamine
- one variation of COMT results in higher levels of dopamine which is more common within patients with OCD
what is the SERT gene?
the SERT gene is linked to serotonin and:
- affects the transport of this neurotransmitter
- transportation issues cause lower serotonin to be active within the brain, which is associated with patients with OCD
what does the diathesis stress model sugges?
people with these genes gain a vulnerability of having OCD, but environmental stresses are also required
the genetic explanation thinks that OCD is probably ————-
polygenic
define polygenic?
the idea that OCD is caused by the influence of more than one gene
some forms of OCD have been linked to ———
break downs in the immune system- meaning environmental triggers can possibly be a cause of OCD
