Neural

• Neural explanations of OCD focus on neurotransmitters as well as brain structures.
• Neural explanations suggest that abnormal levels of neurotransmitters, in particular serotonin and dopamine, are implicated in OCD.
• Neural explanations also suggest that particular regions of the brain, in particular the basal ganglia and orbitofrontal cortex, are implicated in OCD.
• The neurotransmitter serotonin is believed to play a role in OCD.
• Serotonin regulates mood and lower levels of serotonin are associated with mood disorders, such as depression.
• Support for the role of serotonin in OCD comes from anti-depressants which increase the level of serotonin and are effective in treating patients with OCD.
• A drop in serotonin causing changes in mood, which may explain some of the symptoms of OCD.
• Some cases of OCD like hoarding, document impaired decision-making which may be caused by changes in the brain.
• Abnormal functioning in the frontal lobe is linked to poor decision-making.
• Evidence suggests the left parahippocampal gyrus is associated with processing issues in patients with OCD.
• The neurotransmitter dopamine has been implicated in OCD, with higher levels being associated with symptoms of OCD, in particular the compulsive behaviours.
• Two brain regions have been implicated in OCD; the basal ganglia and orbitofrontal cortex.
• The basal ganglia is a brain structure involved in multiple processes, including the coordination of movement.
• Max et al (1994) found that when the basal ganglia is disconnected from the frontal cortex during surgery, OCD-like symptoms are reduced.
• The orbitofrontal cortex is a region which converts sensory information into thoughts and actions.
• PET scans have found higher activity in the orbitofrontal cortex in patients with OCD.
• One suggestion is that the heightened activity in the orbitofrontal cortex increases the conversion of sensory information to actions (behaviours) which results in compulsions.