Psychopathology: The Biological Approach To Explaining and Treating OCD TW

Question 1

Name 3 biological approaches to explaining OCD

Answer 1

Genetic
Neurochemical
Neuroanatomy

Question 2

Undesirable genes are known as…

Answer 2

Maladaptive genes

Question 3

Name 2 maladaptive genes which have been linked with OCD

Answer 3

SERT and COMT

Question 4

The SERT gene affects the activity levels of which neurochemical?

Answer 4

Serotonin

Question 5

The COMT gene affects the activity levels of which neurochemical?

Answer 5

Dopamine

Question 6

Serotonin activity levels have been associated with which characteristic of OCD?

Answer 6

Anxiety

Question 7

Dopamine activity levels have been associated with which characteristic of OCD?

Answer 7

Compulsions

Question 8

What is meant by ‘concordance rates’ when looking at twin studies?

Answer 8

The likelihood of two people who share the same genes will develop the same disorder

Question 9

Monozygotic twins, are also known as what type of twins?

Answer 9

Identical

Question 10

Dizygotic twins are also known as what type of twins?

Answer 10

Non-identical

Question 11

Monozygotic twins have been found to have what % of concordance for OCD?

Answer 11

87 %

Question 12

Dizygotic twins have been found to have what % of concordance of OCD?

Answer 12

47 %

Question 13

Specific genes which cause vulnerability to OCD are referred to as…

Answer 13

Candidate genes - a gene that has been associated with a particular trait or disorder.

Question 14

What is the relationship between genetic closeness and the likelihood of developing OCD?

Answer 14

The closer the genetic link to a person with OCD, the increased likelihood of that a person develop OCD

Question 15

The SERT gene is involved in what process of serotonin?

Answer 15

Transportation

Question 16

The COMT gene is involved in which process for dopamine in the brain?

Answer 16

Regulation

Question 17

What is meant by ‘neurochemicals’?

Answer 17

Chemicals in the brain which help to send messages

Question 18

The neurochemical explanation of OCD would suggest this disorder is caused by an ______________ in neurochemicals?

Answer 18

Imbalance

Question 19

What is the function of serotonin?

Answer 19

Maintaining a stable mood / mood regulator

Question 20

What kind of SERT gene causes serotonin to be recycled too quickly?

Answer 20

A mutated SERT gene

Question 21

The gap between two neurons is known as…

Answer 21

The synapse

Question 22

What is meant by ‘the synapse’

Answer 22

The gap between the presynaptic neuron and the post synaptic neuron

Question 23

A mutation of the SERT gene causes what to happen to serotonin?

Answer 23

It becomes recycled / reuptaken too quickly

Question 24

How does fast reuptake of serotonin affect serotonin activity levels?

Answer 24

It reduces activity levels because it is removed before it can activate the post synaptic neuron.

Question 25

LOW serotonin activity causes ...

Answer 25

HIGH anxiety

Question 26

Neurochemicals are recycled by which part of a neuron?

Answer 26

The reuptake transporters

Question 27

Reuptake transporters are located where in the synapse?

Answer 27

The presynaptic neuron

Question 28

Reuptake occurs in which part of the synapse?

Answer 28

The presynaptic neuron

Question 29

What are located on the membrane of the post synaptic neuron?

Answer 29

Receptors/Receptor sites

Question 30

Before being released into the synapse, neurochemicals are found inside of ________________ within the presynaptic neuron

Answer 30

Vesicles

Question 31

How does the SERT gene influence neurochemistry in the brain?

Answer 31

Reducing ACTIVITY LEVELS of serotonin

Question 32

What is meant by the term 'neuroanatomy' in regards to OCD?

Answer 32

Differences in shape, size and function of specific brain areas leads to OCD

Question 33

What part of the brain has been associated with OCD?

Answer 33

Basal ganglia

Question 34

What function is the basal ganglia responsible for?

Answer 34

Psychomotor functions

Question 35

What is the difference between the basal ganglia of a typical individual, and the basal ganglia of someone with OCD?

Answer 35

Those with OCD have a hypersensitive basal ganglia

Question 36

What abnormality of the basal ganglia has been linked to OCD?

Answer 36

Hypersensitivity

Question 37

Hypersensitivity of the basal ganglia has been associated with which **characteristic** of OCD?

Answer 37

Compulsions

Question 38

Hypersensitivity of the basal ganglia has been associated with what **behaviour?**

Answer 38

Repetitive movements

Question 39

Hypersensitivity in which neuroanatomical structure is associated with OCD?

Answer 39

Basal ganglia

Question 40

**Why** is the genetic explanation of OCD reductionist?

Answer 40

It reduces **complex** human behaviour **of OCD** into **simple basic units** of **MUTATED GENES** e.g. SERT and ignoring holism

Question 41

Why can the neuroanatomical explanation of OCD be considered reductionist?

Answer 41

It reduces **complex** human behaviour **of OCD** into **simple basic units** of **HYPERSENSITIVITY IN BRAIN AREAS** e.g. basal ganglia ignoring holism.

Question 42

Why can the neurochemical explanation of OCD be considered reductionist?

Answer 42

It reduces **complex** human behaviour **of OCD** into **simple basic units** of **SEROTONIN / DOPAMINE IMBALANCE, ignoring holism.**

Question 43

What is **one** strength that neuronatomical and genetic explanations of OCD share?

Answer 43

They use objective and empirical scientific methods

Question 44

What scientific method is used to investigate neuroanatomical structures associated with OCD?

Answer 44

Brain scans

Question 45

Why are brain scans considered a scientific method?

Answer 45

As they are objective and empirical

Question 46

What is meant by ‘objective’?

Answer 46

Factual

Question 47

What is meant by the term ‘empirical’

Answer 47

Observable

Question 48

Biological explanations of OCD ignore what type of approach?

Answer 48

Holistic

Question 49

Which biological explanation of OCD has led to practical applications?

Answer 49

Neurochemical

Question 50

What practical application has the neurochemical explanation of OCD led to?

Answer 50

**S**elective **S**erotonin **R**euptake **I**nhibitors

Question 51

SSRI's are what type of treatment for OCD?

Answer 51

Drug treatment

Question 52

Research to support the genetic explanation of OCD has been conducted by…

Answer 52

Carey + Gottsman

Question 53

Name **3** evaluative points you could use to answer this question; “Outline and evaluate the biological approach to explaining OCD (16 marks)”

Answer 53

1. Biological reduction 2. Scientific methods 3. Practical applications

Question 54

What is the aim of drug therapy to treat OCD?

Answer 54

To balance neurochemicals in the brain to relieve symptoms of OCD

Question 55

The acronym ‘SRRI’s' stands for what…?

Answer 55

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Question 56

What neurochemical do SSRI's work upon?

Answer 56

Serotonin

Question 57

SSRI's are known as a serotonin \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Answer 57

Agonist

Question 58

Do SSRI's decrease or increase serotonin activity levels in the brain?

Answer 58

Increase

Question 59

**How** do SSRI's increase serotonin activity levels in the brain?

Answer 59

By blocking the reuptake of serotonin

Question 60

SSRI's block the reuptake of serotonin into **which** neuron?

Answer 60

The presynaptic neuron

Question 61

A student has written the following statement; “SSRI's block the reuptake of serotonin in the post synaptic neuron” **Is this correct or incorrect, and why?**

Answer 61

Incorrect - the blocking of reuptake occurs in the presynaptic neuron

Question 62

SSRI's relieve which symptom of OCD?

Answer 62

Anxiety

Question 63

SSRI's work to reduce anxiety levels in those with OCD. What type of characteristic is this?

Answer 63

Emotional

Question 64

What emotional characteristic do SSRI's reduce?

Answer 64

Anxiety

Question 65

How long does it take for SSRI's to begin to alleviate symptoms of OCD?

Answer 65

3 - 4 months

Question 66

SSRI's belong to what category of drug therapy?

Answer 66

Anti-depressants

Question 67

What is the acronym for a new class of anti-depressant medication - which is used when SSRI's are ineffective?

Answer 67

SNRI's

Question 68

The acronym ‘SNRI’s' stands for…

Answer 68

Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors

Question 69

What do both SSRI's and SNRI's do the reuptake of serotonin in the brain?

Answer 69

Block reuptake

Question 70

Name one reason why SSRI's may be a more **appropriate** therapy for OCD

Answer 70

As they require little motivation and commitment

Question 71

Name one reason why SSRI's may **not** be an appropriate treatment for OCD

Answer 71

Side effects

Question 72

Name 3 side effects of SSRI's

Answer 72

Headaches, nausea and insomnia

Question 73

“Side effects limit the ______________ of SSRI's to treat OCD”

Answer 73

Appropriateness

Question 74

Soomro concluded that SSRI's were an __________ treatment for OCD

Answer 74

Effective

Question 75

Name 2 maladaptive genes associated with OCD

Answer 75

SERT + COMT

Question 76

A **natural** risk to OCD is referred to as having a…

Answer 76

Genetic predisposition

Question 77

What is meant by ‘genetic predisposition’ to OCD?

Answer 77

Having a natural risk to OCD

Question 78

A student has written the following statement: "The SERT gene reduces serotonin levels in the brain" **Is this correct, or incorrect - and why?**

Answer 78

Incorrect - the SERT gene reduces serotonin **activity** levels

Question 79

The symptom of anxiety is linked with which characteristic of OCD?

Answer 79

Obsessions

Question 80

What is meant by ‘obsessions’

Answer 80

Internal, intrusive thoughts which cause anxiety

Question 81

What is meant by ‘compulsions’ ?

Answer 81

External, repetitive behaviours which are performed to reduce anxiety