Biological Approach To Explaining OCD Flashcards
Key assumptions of the biological approach to explaining OCD
-suggests that OCD is inherited and that individuals receive specific genes from their parents which influence the onset of OCD
-suggests that abnormal levels of neurotransmitters and certain regions of the brain are implicated in OCD
What kind of condition is OCD
Polygenic
What is a polygenic condition
Several genes are involved
What is the COMT gene responsible for
The production of an enzyme called COMT which regulates levels of dopamine
What does an abnormally low anxiety of the COMT gene cause
An insufficient amount of COMT causing an unanimity to regulate dophamjne levels
What does the inability to regulate dophamjne levels result in
The production of high dophamjne levels which have been linked to OCD symptoms, anxiety, excessive energy, insomnia, hallucinations
What is the SERT gene responsible for
Influencing transportation of the neurotransmitter serotonin which is responsible for learning memory happpiness sleep and hunger
What does the mutation of the sert gene affect
The transportation of serotonin between neurons creating abnormally low levels
Low levels of serotonin have been linked to OCD symptoms
Obsessive hand washing, counting or organising
What are the two explanations
Genetic and neural
OCD could be caused by abnormally high levels of the neurotransmitter dophamine. What is the explanation based on
The fact that administering dophamine enhancing drugs to animals results in repetitive, stereotyped movements that resemble compulsions
Dophamine can be a excitatory neurotransmitter so what can high levels influence
Concentration and creates an inability to stop obsessive thoughts and repetitive behaviours
OCD could also be caused by abnormally low levels of neurotransmitters serotonin what is this explanation based on
The fact that anti-depressant drugs that increase serotonin activity reduce OCD symptoms
Serotonin is also an inhibitory neurotransmitter so perhaps low levels means
That relative behaviours/ thoughts are not being switched off as normal
What is the prefrontal correct involved in
Cognitive decision making and the regulation of primitive aspects of our behaviour such as survival
What is an Overactive pre frontal correct thought to cause
OCD
What is the specific part of the prefrontal correct which responds to sensory information in the environment
Orbitofrontal cortex
Hyperactivity in the OFC is thought to lead to what
Exaggerated worry signals
Where are exaggerated worry signals sent
The thalamus to prepare for threat
How does the orbitftontal cortex explain the following symptoms of OCD
Sensory information-your hands are dirty
Action wash your hands
Difficulty switching off so compulsively wash hands
