Explanaitions Of Ocd

Question 1

Explain the role of the COMT Jean in the development of OCD.

Answer 1

This gene is involved in the production of COM T, and regulates the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine that has been implicated in OCD.
One COMT gene has been found to be more common OCD patients than those without the disorder.
This variation of COMT, producers of activity of COMT, gene and higher levels of dopamine.

Question 2

Explain the role of the SERT gene in the development of OCD

Answer 2

This gene affects the transport of serotonin creating lower levels of this neurotransmitter
Low levels of this also implicated in OCD
Study by, Ozaki at El found a mutation of this gene in two unrelated families, where six out of seven of the family members had OCD

Question 3

How is the role of genetics investigated?

Answer 3

By looking at family studies, researchers are the most interested in monozygotic twins

Question 4

What does the diathesis stress model suggest

Answer 4

The idea of a simple link between one gene and a complex disorder like OCD is unlikely.
E.g. eyecolour may have one gene that determine is it however, this is not true for complex behaviours
This suggests that each individual gene only creates a vulnerability for OCD as well as other condition. Other factors affect what condition develops or any mental disorder at all.

Question 5

How is the neurotransmitter dopamine associated with OCD?

Answer 5

Dopamine levels are thought to be abnormally high in patients with OCD.
An animal study conducted by researchers showed that high dose of drugs that enhance levels of dopamine induced movements resembling compulsive behaviours, found in OCD patients

Question 6

How is the neurotransmitter serotonin associated with OCD?

Answer 6

Lower levels of serotonin associated with OCD.
Conclusion is based on the fact that antidepressants to increase serotonin activity have been shown to reduce OCD symptoms

Question 7

Explain the worry circuit in the brain

Answer 7

Several areas in the frontal lobes of the brain or abnormal in people with OCD
The caudate nucleus normally suppresses signals from the OFC, which sends signals to the thalamus about potential worries

Question 8

Research evidence from family studies, but what is the problem with this?

Answer 8

There is evidence to support the biological approach to explaining OCD.
This comes from family studies of first-degree, relatives and twin studies
Nestadt at El identified 80 patience with OCD and 343 of their first-degree relatives and compare them with 73 control patients without mental illnesses and 300 of their relatives.
They found that people who have first-degree relatives with OCD five times more likely to develop the disorder than the general population
However, concordance rates are never 100%, which must mean that environmental factors must play a role in the development of OCD as well (diathesis stress)

Question 9

Evidence suggesting genes act as a predisposing factor towards obsessive behaviours, but there are no disorder specific genes

Answer 9

There is research to support that genes act as a predisposing factor towards obsessive behaviours
Paul and Lekman study patients with Tourette’s syndrome and their families and concluded that OCD is one form of expression of the same gene that determines Tourette’s. This suggests that there are no disorder specific
Further evidence suggests that the obsessional behaviour found in these disorders is also found in children with autism as they show stereotype behaviours as well as compulsions of OCD. This supports the fact there is not one specific gene unique to OCD.