Biological Apporach To OCD Flashcards

1
Q

What is the main theory

A

Ocd is caused by neural abnormalities in the structure or function of the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What does the biological approach consist of

NAGI

A

Neural abnormalities, genes, illness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the abnormality in the loop of basal ganglia and orbito frontal cortex

A

Over activity of direct pathway that triggers concerns about danger
Under activity of indirect pathway which inhibits compulsive behaviour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are neurotransmitters

A

Chemicals in the brain that allow messages to be sent between Brain cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How are neurotransmitters linked to OCD

A

Mutations in genes linked to activity of neurotransmitter serotonin has been found in patients with ocd.
- medicines that increase serotonin decrease symptoms of OCD

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Describe baxters study

A

Patients who had treatment of SSRI’s or CBT found they were both as effective so the brain abnormality could be a consequence not a cause if therapy managed to treat it as well as serotonin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

evaluate the biological approach

A

Can’t be sure of cause and effect between neutral abnormalities and ocd

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Describe polaks study

A

Study of a man who had a heart attack and suffered brain damage to his basal ganglia - brain starved of oxygen
Showed compulsive whistling behaviour which worsened when he was tired

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Describe nestadt’s study - twins

A

Found the MZ concordance rate of OCD was 68% while DZ was 31%
So there must be a genetic explanation, but it is not 100% so other factors must also effect it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Describe van grootheest

A

19 studies of 10,000 twins
Found that OCD is developed more strongly if developed in childhood than in adult hood, so environmental triggers can cause adults to have OCD

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are SSRIS

A

specific serotonin uptake inhibitors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Give details of how serotonin is given

A
20mg a day 
3-4 months gradually stopped 
GP or Psychologist 
Side effects - irritability 
Sleep disturbances 
Headaches 
Suicidal thoughts
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How does SSRI’s reduce OCD

A

Stays in synaptic gap for longer so that the orbito frontal cortex could function normally and stop compulsions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Describe korans study

A

Added olanzapine to lower dopamine levels
Mean score on Yale brown obsessive compulsive scale was 29
Dropped to 24
:(- 2/3 of patients put on weight
Small sample + no placebo

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Evaluate the appropriateness of SSRIS

A

Unpleasant side effects
Brings a small symptom reduction even if it doesn’t completely treat it so people can carry on with jobs which helps the economy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly