BIOCHEMICAL EXPLANATIONS FOR OCD

Question 1

What is serotonin?

Answer 1

• A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, emotions, stress and appetite.

Question 3

What is dopamine?

Answer 3

A neurotransmitter that carries signals in the part of the brain responsible for motivation, pleasure and reward.

Question 4

What is oxytocin?

Answer 4

• A hormone and neurotransmitter associated with bonding, trust, and social connection, sometimes called the “love hormone.”

Question 5

What is the connection between low serotonin and OCD?

Answer 5

• Low serotonin levels are believed to contribute to OCD symptoms.
• Brain imaging and drug studies: suggest that people with OCD often have dysregulated serotonin transmission – meaning serotonin isn’t functioning as it should in some brain areas (orbitofrontal cortext/thalamus)
• Evidence: SSRI’s are used to treat OCD by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Thus supporting the idea serotonin levels plays a role.

orbitofrontal cortex, thalamus, and caudate nucleus — brain areas involved in OCD — all rely on serotonin signalling to function properly.

Question 6

What brain area are involved in OCD and rely on serotonin signalling to function propely?

Answer 6

orbitofrontal cortex, and thalamus

Question 7

How may high dopamine be linked to OCD?

Answer 7

• Excess dopmaine may contribute to compulsive behaviours.
• Why? Peforming the compulsions create a temporary sense of relief/ reward (which makes the compulsions harder to break)

Question 8

What research demonstartes the link between excessive dopamine and OCD?

Answer 8

• Szechtman et al (1998) showed that if dopamine levels in rats are increased they will perform repetitive movements (similar compulsive behaviours in OCD)

Question 9

How is abnormal oxytocin linked to OCD?

Answer 9

• Research suggests that OCD patients have abnormal oxytocin levels (too high/low).
• High oxytocin: May intensify attachment to rituals/ compulsions.
• Low oxytoxin: May contribute to increased anxiety and fear of harm which may fuel obsessions.

Low oxytoxin linked to antisocial behaviour/ high oxytoxin linked to prosocial behaviour

Question 10

What research demonstrates the link between Oxytoxin and OCD?

Answer 10

• Leckman et al (1994) studied the cerebrospinal fluid of indiviudals with OCD and analysed their behaviours, obsessions, and compulsions.
• They found that oxytocin dysfunction may be involved in some forms of OCD.
• OCD behaviours (like checking, cleaning) might actually be extreme versions of normal behaviours that are normally moderated by oxytocin.

Protective behaviours ➡️ become compulsive cleaning

Question 11

Leckman et al. (1994)- Oxytocin and OCD

Answer 11

oxytocin dysfunction may be involved in some forms of OCD.

Question 12

Szechman et al (1998)- dopamine and OCD

Answer 12

showed that if dopamine levels in rats are increased they will perform repetitive movements (similar compulsive behaviours in OCD)