biological approach to explaining depression Flashcards
describe genetic explanation of ocd
genes make up chromosomes and consists of DNA which codes the physical features of an organism and psychological features genes one inherit from parents to offspring
Lewis 1936 observed that of his ocd patients 37% had parents with OCD and 21% has siblings with OCD –> OCD runs in families , the closer the biological relationship the higher the risk
candidate gene, creates vulnerability for OCD, involve in regulating serotonin across synapses 5HT1-D beta
polygenic, not caused by one single gene but by a combination of genetic variations that together significantly increase vulnerability
taylor 2013 analysed findings of previous studies and found evidence that up to 230 different genes may be involved in OCD
aetiologically heterogeneous, the origins of OCD vary from one person to another
describe neural explanations of OCD
neural mechanism - the view that physical and psychological characteristics are determined by the behaviour of the nervous system in particular the brain as well as individual neurons
the neural factors in OCD are likely affected or a function of neurotransmitters
one neurotransmitter involved in OCD is serotonin, believed to help regulate mood. responsible for relaying information from one neuron to another
low levels of serotonin - normal transmissions of mood-relevant information does not take place and a person may experience low moods
ocd might be explained by reduction in functioning of serotonin in brain
lateral frontal lobes - logical thinking and making decisions –>horading disorder
left parahippocampal gyrus - processing unpleasant emotions, functions abnormalities
