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
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
3
Q
what is the orbitofrontal cortex?
A
- alerts brain to potential worries in environment
- if overactive, person would experience anxiety
4
Q
what is the cingulate gyrus?
A
- connects orbitofrontal cortex to thalamus
5
Q
what is the basal ganglia nuclei?
A
- strongly interconnected with cerebral cortex and thalamus, as well as other brain areas
6
Q
what is globus pallidus fibres?
A
- should act as braking mechanism, controlling activity in thalamus
7
Q
what is the caudate nucleus?
A
- inhibits action of globus pallidus fibres.
- if caudate nucleus is overactive this does not happen
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)