Psychopathology - Neural Explanation for OCD Flashcards
What are the lateral (side) parts of the frontal lobes responsible for?
Decision making and logical reasoning
What is abnormal functioning or damage in the lateral parts of the frontal lobes linked to?
OCD
What are some cases of OCD linked to?
Impaired decision making
OFC
Orbital frontal cortex
What may a overactive OFC cause?
An exaggerated control of primal impulses
What is linked to the OFC?
Dopamine and serotonin
What may repetitive movements be caused by?
Hypersensitivity of the basal ganglia
In a ‘normally functioning person’ what does the OFC do once you have performed an appropriate behaviour?
It reduces in activation making you stop doing the action
What does an over activated OFC (people with OCD) cause?
Continuation of obsessions and compulsions
What signals do the OFC send?
‘Worry’ signals
What are ‘worry’ signals normally suppressed by?
The caudate nucleus
Caudate nucleus of people with OCD?
The caudate nucleus is thought to be damaged so it can’t suppress the signals which become excited which increases compulsive behaviours and anxiety
What can reduce symptoms of servere OCD?
Surgery which disconnect the basal ganglia from the OFC
Research shows this is very effective
How may neurotransmitters cause OCD?
Reduced serotonin and excessive dopamine may cause of OCD
What may low levels of serotonin be linked with?
Obsessive thoughts as they may cause a person to feel depressed or anxious
