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Psychopathology > The Biological Explanation of OCD > Flashcards

The Biological Explanation of OCD Flashcards

1
Q

How does the biological approach see OCD?

A

Being similar to physical illnesses caused by abnormal biological processes.

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2
Q

What are the 2 main biological explanations for OCD?

A

Genetic and Neural explanations

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3
Q

What is the genetic explanation?

A

Hereditary influences through genetic transmission from parent to offspring.

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4
Q

What is the neural explanation?

A

Abnormal functioning of neural mechanisms and neurotransmitters.

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5
Q

What are the main two genes involved in the genetic explanation?

A

COMT and SERT gene

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6
Q

Why is the gene called the COMT gene?

A

It is involved in the production of catechol-O-methyltransferase

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7
Q

What does the COMT gene do?

A

Regulates the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

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8
Q

Why is the COMPT gene linked to OCD?

A

As it regulates dopamine which is implicated to OCD.

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9
Q

One form/allele of the COMT gene is more common in what?

A

OCD patients than people without the disorder.

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10
Q

One form/allele of the COMT gene produces what?

A

Produces lower activity of the COMT gene and higher levels of dopamine

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11
Q

What is another name for the SERT gene?

A

5-HTT

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12
Q

What does the SERT gene do?

A

Affects the transport of serotonin creating lower levels of the neurotransmitter

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13
Q

What are low levels of serotonin associated with?

A

OCD

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14
Q

Ozaki et al. Found out what about the SERT gene?

A

A mutation of the gene in 2 unrelated families where 6/7 had OCD

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15
Q

What is the hormone involved in the neural explanation?

A

Serotonin

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16
Q

What does serotonin do?

A

Regulates mood

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17
Q

Lower levels of serotonin are associated with what?

A

Mood disorders

18
Q

What is further support for the role of serotonin in OCD?

A

It comes from research examining anti-depressants

19
Q

What has been found about drugs that increase serotonin levels?

A

They are effective in treating OCD

20
Q

Higher levels of dopamine as associated with what?

A

Symptoms of OCD particularly the compulsive behaviour.

21
Q

What are the two regions in the brain that have been implicated with OCD?

A

Basal ganglia and orbitofrontal cortex

22
Q

What does the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) do?

A

Converts sensory information into thoughts and impulses including ‘worry signals’

23
Q

What have PET scans found about the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)?

A

Higher activity in patients with OCD

24
Q

A suggestion is that the heightened activity in the orbitofrontal cortex increases what?

A

The conversion of sensory information and worry signals to actions resulting in compulsions

25
Q

What is the basal ganglia?

A

A brain structure involved in multiple processes such as the coordination movements.

26
Q

What is the name of the nucleus located in the basal ganglia?

A

Caudate nucleus

27
Q

What does the caudate nucleus do?

A

Suppress signals from the OFC

28
Q

What is the link between the caudate nucleus and OCD?

A

Those with OCD have a difficulty in switching off or ignoring signals actions sent from the OFC as the caudate nucleus is damaged

29
Q

What happens if the caudate nucleus is damaged?

A

Prevents patients from stopping compulsive behaviours.

30
Q

The link between the caudate nucleus is supported by what?

A

PET scans of patients with OCD taken while their symptoms are active. Scans show heightened activity in the OFC.

31
Q

What did Comer et al report about serotonin?

A

It plays a key role in the operation of the OFC and the caudate nuclei.

32
Q

What did Comer et al report about abnormal levels of serotonin?

A

Cause the areas of the OFC and caudate nuclei to malfunction.

33
Q

What does high levels of dopamine do to the basal ganglia where it is located?

A

Over activity

34
Q

A strength of the genetic explanation is that there is evidence that people are vulnerable to OCD because of their genetic makeup. What evidence supports this?

A

A review of twin studies found that 68% of identical twins shared OCD compared to 31% of non-identical twins.

35
Q

A strength of the genetic explanation is that there is evidence that people are vulnerable to OCD because of their genetic makeup. How can this be evaluated?

A

There is supporting evidence for genetic influence on OCD.
Validity of the theory increases.
Make effective treatment to alter levels of serotonin and dopamine.

36
Q

A weakness of the genetic explanation is that twin studies assume that identical twins are only more similar than non-identical twins in terms of their genes. What evidence supports this?

A

They overlook that identical twins may also be more similar in terms of shared environment as non-identical may be boy and girl who have different experiences.

37
Q

A weakness of the genetic explanation is that twin studies assume that identical twins are only more similar than non-identical twins in terms of their genes. How can this be evaluated?

A

Limits the validity of using evidence from twin studies.
It is not clear if findings are due to genetics or similar environment .
Impossible to determine genes as a causal factor in OCD.

38
Q

A strength of the neural explanation what Max et al. found. What evidence is there to support this?

A

When the basal ganglia is disconnected from the frontal cortex during surgery, OCD-like symptoms are reduced.

39
Q

A strength of the neural explanation what Max et al. found. How can this be evaluated?

A

Support for the role of the basal ganglia and OCD.
Supports the validity
Implications for possible treatment for OCD focused on activating the basal ganglia.

40
Q

A weakness of the neural explanation is that environmental factors can also trigger or increase the risk of developing OCD. What evidence supports this?

A

It has been found that over half of OCD patients in one study had a traumatic experience in their past, and that OCD was more severe with more trauma.

41
Q

A weakness of the neural explanation is that environmental factors can also trigger or increase the risk of developing OCD. How can this be evaluated?

A

The biological explanation is reductionist.
Environmental factors play a part and OCD may be nature and nurture.
According to diathesis-stress model biological factors may be predisposition rather than a cause.

Psychopathology (13 decks)

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