Biological Explanations For OCD

Question 1

What is the COMT gene associated with?

Answer 1

Dopamine

Important in movement, attention, drive & motivation, and voluntary movement

Question 2

How does serotonin affect mood?

Answer 2

Regulates mood

Lower levels of serotonin are associated with mood disorders, e.g., OCD.

Question 3

What is the relationship between dopamine and OCD?

Answer 3

Impacts obsessions and compulsions

Newal explanations suggest dopamine’s role in OCD.

Question 4

What did the family studies by Nestadt et al. aim to investigate?

Answer 4

Prevalence of OCD among first-degree relatives

Included 343 cases and 300 controls diagnosed with OCD.

Question 5

What was the conclusion of Nestadt et al.’s family studies?

Answer 5

Evidence of hereditary contributions

Higher symptom prevalence in families with OCD.

Question 6

What role does serotonin play in mental processes?

Answer 6

A neurotransmitter affecting emotions, movement, and cognitive processes

Involved in anxiety and compulsions.

Question 7

What happens if the serotonin transporter gene is mutated?

Answer 7

Increases transport proteins at a neuron’s membrane

Leads to increased reuptake of serotonin into the neuron.

Question 8

What effect do antidepressants that increase serotonin have on OCD symptoms?

Answer 8

Reduction in symptoms

Antidepressants that do not increase serotonin show no effect.

Question 9

What was the focus of the gene mapping study by Davis et al.?

Answer 9

Genetic basis of OCD

Compared 1500 participants with OCD to 5500 without.

Question 10

What variant was found by Stewart et al. in relation to OCD?

Answer 10

A variant on 0 LIG-2 genes

Common in OCD sufferers.