Cognitive approach to explaining OCD

Question 1

Genetic explanations:

Answer 1

OCD may be inherited, gene markers predict presence

Question 2

Individual genes:

Answer 2

such as gene 9, comt and sert seem to be present with ocd. however there might be as many as 230 other genes involved with the development of ocd. Meaning disorder is polygenetic.

Question 3

Family studies:

Answer 3

general population 2% have ocd, however amongst first degree relatives the figure is 10%, indicating a genetic basis.

Question 4

Twin studies concordance rates:

Answer 4

MZ twins (87%) DZ(47%) -40 FROM MZ!

Question 5

Neural explanations

Answer 5

changing in genes could impact functioning of neural systems

Question 6

low levels of serotonin:

Answer 6

it may be that serotonin prevents the repetition of tasks and is in too low a level, or is removed too quickly from synaptic systems. Before it is able to inhibit the repetition of an action this may result in obsessive thoughts.

Question 7

basal ganglia:

Answer 7

communication between this structure and others may become disrupted in ocd patients

cutting the connection to the frontal cortex can reduce symptoms in severe cases

Question 8

observed in ocd patients:

Answer 8

excess activity in orbitofrontalcortex

abnormal activity in the parahippocampal gyrus

Question 9

evaluation positive:

Answer 9

Research by Hu 2006, found genetic differences between 169 ocd and 253 controls that impacted the function of serotoninn transporters in the brain.

supporting genetic and neural explanations.

Question 10

evaluatation negative:

Answer 10

while the effectiveness of drug treatment (ssri’s) indivate the validity of neural explanations.

drugs that work on serotonin systems may just cover up symptoms not treat the root cause.