Pychopathology- Neural explanation for OCD

Question 1

What area of the brain can the amygdala and caudate nucleus be found in

Answer 1

The orbitofrontal cortex

Question 2

Where does the OFC relay messages of minor worries to

Answer 2

The thalamus

Question 3

What does the caudate nucleus usually do with minor worry messages from the thalamus

Answer 3

Suppresses said impulses

Question 4

Several areas of the ______ lobes of the brain are thought to be abnormal in people with OCD.

Answer 4

frontal

Question 5

Where does the caudate nucleus usually suppress signals from

Answer 5

The orbital frontal cortex

Question 6

In people with OCD, what does a damaged caudate nucleus cause

Answer 6

A failure to suppress minor worry signals causing the thalamus to be alerted which in turn sends signals back to the OFC, acting as a worry circuit

Question 7

What happens to minor worries when the caudate nucleus is damaged

Answer 7

They get blown out of proportion and turn into obsessions that need to be acted on in the form of compulsions

Question 8

So, an unbalance in this area of the brain (frontal) may result in ______ ________

Answer 8

Compulsive behaviour

Question 9

What neurotransmitter has a role in:
Mood regulation, anxiety, sleep and social behaviour

Answer 9

Serotonin

Question 10

What have low levels of serotonin been linked to in OCD

Answer 10

Compulsions

Question 11

Why have low levels of serotonin been linked to compulsive behaviours

Answer 11

As serotonin plays a role in preventing behaviour repetition

Question 12

When Ursu and Carter monitored brain activity in 15 OCD patients using fMRI scanners, where did they find hyperactivity

Answer 12

The orbitofrontal cortex

Question 13

____ + _____ monitored brain activity in __ OCD patients using ____ scans and found __________ in the _________ _____, exactly what this neural explanation would suggest

Answer 13

Ursu and Carter
15
fMRI
hyperactivity
orbitofrontal cortex

Question 14

Evaluating the neural explanation for OCD
-research from Ursu and Carter

Answer 14

One strength of the neural explanation for OCD is that there is research support for the role of brain dysfunction in the development of the disorder.

For example, Ursu + Carter (2009) monitored brain activity in 15 OCD patients using fMRI scans and found hyperactivity in the orbitofrontal cortex, exactly what this neural explanation would suggest

This supports the idea that abnormal brain structures may be a possible causal factor in the development of OCD.

Question 15

Evaluating the neural explanation for OCD
-cause and effect issue

Answer 15

One theoretical flaw is the link between OCD and brain abnormality is merely correlational and we cannot establish CAUSE and EFFECT

Both low serotonin and an impaired caudate nucleus are linked to OCD, but as we have no before measurements, we are not sure whether they have caused OCD, or have developed because of OCD

Perhaps another factor (e.g. early trauma) has caused both low serotonin and OCD to develop

Hence, it could be that these biological abnormalities are a result rather than a cause of OCD

Question 16

Evaluating the neural explanation for OCD
-practical applications

Answer 16

Thee neural explanation of OCD has been practically applied to help society and the 2-3% of the population who suffer from OCD.

For example, as we know OCD sufferers have low serotonin we can give them medication (antidepressants) to raise serotonin and remove OCD symptoms
This treatment has been particularly successful, helping nearly 70% patients that take this medication

This illustrates how the neural explanation for OCDs can actually reduce distress by many of those effected by OCD

Question 17

Evaluating the neural explanation for OCD
-scientific

Answer 17

The neural explanation of OCD is praised for being very scientific

Neural factors in OCD can be studied in very objective and falsifiable ways
For instance, a damaged caudate nucleus can be readily identified with scanning devices like fMRI’s
Likewise lower serotonin could be deduced by very sensitive PET scans, or by examining cerebrospinal fluids

This suggests that the neural explanation of OCD helps promote psychology as a scientific subject, worthy of financial backing