Biological Approach to explaining and treating OC Flashcards
what is a concordance rate
a measure of genetic similarity
what is a genetic explanation
focuses on how disorders are inherited through chromosomes and DNA
what is a neural explanation
focuses on the brain and/or brain functions and levels of neurotransmitters
what is a neurotransmitter
a chemical substance that transmit nerve impulses across the synapse, a key part of the nervous system
what is dopamine
a neurotransmitter that influences motivation, drive and pleasure
what is serotonin
a neurotransmitter that is involved in many behaviours and processes like aggression, eating, sleep and mood
what do genetic explanations to OCD suggest
mental disorders are inherited
what are the two genes that are important to the genetic explanations to OCD
- COMT gene
- SERT gene
what is the role of the COMT gene (genetic explanations to OCD)
regulates the production of dopamine
what is the relationship between OCD and the COMT gene
dopamine levels are higher in people with OCD than control groups
explain the biology behind the COMT gene in OCD patients
variation of the gene - less COMT gene - higher levels of dopamine because less regulation
why are dopamine levels higher in OCD patients
the variation of the COMT gene means there is less of it, meaning there is less regulation of dopamine
what does the SERT gene do
affects the transportation of serotonin
what is the relationship between the SERT gene and OCD
serotonin levels are lower in people with OCD
explain the biology behind the SERT gene and people with OCD
variation of the SERT gene means there is less of it to transport serotonin leading to lower levels of serotonin
why are serotonin levels lower in OCD patients
the variation of the SERT gene means there is less of it to transport serotonin
what are the biological
explanations to OCD based on
- abnormal levels of neurotransmitters (dopamine high and serotonin low)
- abnormal brain circuits
how can OCD be explained through abnormal brain circuits
areas of the brain may not be functioning appropriately, causing the disorder
what is the role of the OFC
tries to send messages to the thalamus via the caudate nucleus about things that are worrying
what is the OFC
orbitofrontal cortex
what is the role of the caudate nucleus
filters and supresses signals from the oFC if they are minor in nature
where is the caudate nucleus
in the basal ganglia
what happens if the caudate nucleus is damaged
it fails to suppress minor worry signals and the thalamus is repeatedly alerted - sending worry signals back to the OFC
what is the specific part of the abnormal brain circuit that people with OCD have
the caudate nucleus fails to suppress minor worry signals
