ocd: bio explanation - brain structure and functioning Flashcards

1
Q

what is one explanation for ocd?

A
  • neuro-circuity in brain is not working correctly
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2
Q

what is the thalamus?

A
  • contains primitive checking and cleaning behaviours hardwired in brain
  • if overactive, it triggers compulsion to engage in these behaviours
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3
Q

what is the orbitofrontal cortex?

A
  • alerts brain to potential worries in environment
  • if overactive, person would experience anxiety
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4
Q

what is the cingulate gyrus?

A
  • connects orbitofrontal cortex to thalamus
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5
Q

what is the basal ganglia nuclei?

A
  • strongly interconnected with cerebral cortex and thalamus, as well as other brain areas
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6
Q

what is globus pallidus fibres?

A
  • should act as braking mechanism, controlling activity in thalamus
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7
Q

what is the caudate nucleus?

A
  • inhibits action of globus pallidus fibres.
  • if caudate nucleus is overactive this does not happen
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8
Q

how does brain structure and functioning relate to ocd?

A
  • in ocd, caudate nucleus is overactive so it doesn’t inhibit action of globus pallidus fibres (which should dampen the activity of thalamus)
  • this means that thalamus is overactive - therefore cleaning and checking behaviours are more likely (the compulsions)
  • the overactive thalamus causes cascade reaction in orbitofrontal cortex, leading to orbitofrontal cortex becoming overactive
  • the orbitofrontal cortex is hardwired to alert the brain when something seems odd, causing anxiety (lead to the obsessions)
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