biological explaining ocd

Question 1

ocd is poygenic

Answer 1

• OCD is not caused by one single gene, but several genes are involved
• Taylor (2013) found evidence that up to 230 different genes may be involved in OCD

Question 2

COMT gene

Answer 2

1 variation of this gene results in higher levels of dopamine

Question 3

role of serotonin

Answer 3

• Low levels of serotonin lowers mood
• Neurotransmitters are responsible for relaying information from one neuron to another
• So low levels of serotonin mean the normal transmission of mood-relevant information does not take place and mood is affected
• possibly caused by SERT gene =

Question 4

impaired decisions are caused by orbitofrontal cortex

Answer 4

orbitofrontal cortex = more active in when OCD symptoms are present = PET scan
- relays info about things that are worrying/risky and then converts those emotions into actions

Question 5

left parahippocampal gyrus

Answer 5

• left parahippocampal gyrus associated with processing unpleasant emotions, functions abnormally in OCD.
• ## hoarding disorder

Question 6

genes - aubery lewis

Answer 6

• 37% parents with ocd
• 21% siblings with ocd
• ocd runs in families = genetic vulnerability

Question 7

diathesis stress model

Answer 7

• certain genes leave some people more likely to develop ocd
• environmental stress (experience) is necessary to trigger the condition