neural explanations

Question 1

what is the role of serotonin?

Answer 1

regulates mood

Question 2

what happens when a person has low levels of serotonin?

Answer 2

• normal transmissions of mood - relevant information doesn’t take place and a person may experience low moods
• some cases of OCD may be explained by a reduction in the functioning of the serotonin system in the brain

Question 3

what is the role of the frontal lobes?

Answer 3

• responsible for logical thinking and making decisions

Question 4

impaired decision making

Answer 4

• hoarding disorder seems to be associated with impaired decision making
• abnormal functioning of the lateral of the frontal lobes of the brain
• evidence to suggest that the left parahippocampal gyrus is associated with processing unpleasant emotions, functions abnormally in OCD

Question 5

STRENGTH; biological factors may also be responsible for OCD

Answer 5

• antidepressants that work purely on serotonin are effective in reducing OCD symptoms suggests that serotonin may be involved
• if a biological disorder produces OCD symptoms then we may assume the biological processes underlie OCD
• suggests that biological factors may also be responsible for OCD

Question 6

LIMITATION; no unique neural systems

Answer 6

• serotonin may not be unique to OCD may not be unique OCD
• people with OCD also experience clinical depression
• having 2 disorder together = co-morbidity
• depression probably involves disruption to the action of serotonin
• serotonin activity is disrupted in many people with OCD because they are depressed as well
• serotonin may not be relevant to OCD symptoms