Biological Approach to causing OCD

Question 1

Genetic explanations for OCD regarding SERT

Answer 1

1. Faulty SERT gene affects transport of serotonin
2. Lower levels of the neurotransmitter (serotonin)
3. Overactive OFC
4. Leads to obsessions in people with OCD

Question 2

Genetic explanations for OCD regarding COMT

Answer 2

1. When faulty releases higher levels of dopamine
2. Overactive thalamus
3. Leads to compulsions in people with OCD

Question 3

Neural explanations for OCD regarding abnormal brain circuits

Answer 3

1. Caudate nucleus is faulty therefore cannot suppress worries
2. Alert sent to thalamus which therefore sends signals back to OFC
3. Therefore creates a worry circuit

Question 4

Strength - FAMILY AND TWIN STUDIES

Answer 4

P - Significant evidence for genetic theory supported by first degree twin studies
E - Nestadt (2000) studied 80 patients and 343 first degree relatives and 300 relatives
E - Found first degree relatives have 5 times greater risk of getting OCD
L - Shows the significance of the relevance of genes in the explanation of OCD
Counter - Concordance rates are never 100% which means environmental factors must play a factor and influence the formation of OCD

Question 5

Strength - RESEARCH SUPPORT FOR GENES AND OCD

Answer 5

P - Significant research which shows that genes and the OFC plays a big role in the cause of OCD.
E - Menzies (2007) use MRI to produce brain images of activity in OCD patients and immediate family with OCD and group of unrelated healthy people
E - Supports the view that anatomical differences are inherited and may lead to OCD in certain individuals
L - Useful when researching and creating effective treatment for OCD