biological explanation and treatment for OCD

Question 1

what are the 2 explanations

Answer 1

genetic and neural

Question 2

what is the role of the COMT gene in the development of OCD

Answer 2

A specific variation of this gene reduces its ability. this is to regulate dopamine. therefore low activity of the comt gene=high dopamine levels (which is associated with OCD). this variation is more common in OCD sufferers

Question 3

what is the role of the SERT gene in the development of OCD

Answer 3

this gene is involved in the transport of serotonin. specific mutation=lower levels of serotonin.

Question 4

what is the research to support the role of the SERT gene in OCD

Answer 4

ozaki found 6/7 members of 2 unrelated families had this mutation and had OCD

Question 5

how is research into genetics investigated

Answer 5

with family studies to see if disorders are carried in genes.

Question 6

research to support genetics and OCD

Answer 6

lenane found that of 46 people with ocd 17% of parents also suffered.

Question 7

what does the diathesis stress model suggest

Answer 7

it suggests that even if someone is genetically vunerable to a mental disorder (diathesis) they might not develop it until they experience an environmental stress which could trigger symptoms/disorder to develop

Question 8

what are the 2 neurotransmitters which we can use to indicate ocd

Answer 8

dopamine and serotonin

Question 9

how is dopamine associated with ocd

Answer 9

abnormally high dopamine levels are thought to be present in people with ocd

Question 10

what is used to base the association between dopamine and ocd

Answer 10

animal studies , where animals were artificially given high dopamine levels and their behaviour was observed. they found that they experienced movements stereotypically similar to that of ocd compulsions.

Question 11

what happens when there is high dopamine levels

Answer 11

there is overactivity of the basal ganglia and therefore of the OFC

Question 12

how is serotonin associated with OCD

Answer 12

lower levels of serotonin are associated with ocd

Question 13

what is used to base the suggestion that serotonion and ocd

Answer 13

antidepressant drugs which increase serotonin are seen to reduce ocd symptoms as opposed to when given antidepressant drugs that have less effect on serotonin where there was no relief of ocd symptoms therefore concluded that ocd is linked to serotonin