Neural Explanations Of OCD Flashcards
What is the role of the neurotransmitter serotonin?
It is believed to regulate mood. Neurotransmitters are responsible for relaying information to one neuron to another.
What might happen to a person with low levels of serotonin?
Normal transmission of mood relevant information does not take place and may experience low mood ; some cases of OCD may be explained by a reduction of functioning in the serotonin system in the brain.
Malfunctioning of frontal lobes and left parahippocampal
Some cases of OCD, in particular hoarding, seem to be associated with impaired decision-making. This in turn might be associated with abnormal functioning of the frontal lobes of the brain.
What is frontal lobe responsible for?
Frontal lobes are responsible for logical thinking and making decisions.
What is mentioned about the parahippocampal gyrus?
There evidence suggesting that it is associated with processing unpleasant emotions, functions abnormally in OCD.
(AO3) What is the strength of the neural explanation regarding evidence? Nesdadt
Antidepressants that work on the serotonin system alleviates OCD - suggests that serotonin is involved. Also OCD symptoms are prevalent in other biological conditions (e.g Parkinson’s) which causes muscle tremors and paralysis (Nesdadt). Suggesting that biological factors are responsible.
(AO3) Limitations regarding co-morbidity
The apparent serotonin—OCD link may just be co-morbidity with depression - the depression disrupts serotonin. Meaning that serotonin may not be relevant to OCD symptoms.
