neural explanation

• What is the neural explanation of OCD?

  explanations relating to neurotransmitters and structures of the brain
• What significance does serotonin have to OCD?

  If low levels of serotonin normal transmission of mood - relevant info doesn't occur so mood & sometimes cognitive processes are affected
• What significance do the structures of the brain have on OCD?

  - abnormal functioning of lateral frontal lobe could explain OCD aspects e.g. overthinking

  - parahippocampal gyrus associated with processing negative emotions & evidence suggests this area functions abnormally with OCD sufferers
• what does the frontal lobe do?


  controls decision making and logical thinking
• give the strengths pls

  - Supporting evidence from medical cases
• expand on "supporting evidence from medical cases"

  certain drugs have been found to decrease OCD e.g. depressants suggesting serotonin is involved
• give the weaknesses

  - Shouldn't assume neural mechanisms are the cause of OCD

  - Comorbidity
• expand on "shouldn't assume"

  Just because evidence suggests neurotransmitters and brain structures don't function normally in OCD-ers shouldnt make us assume it is neural caused. These neural abnormalities could be a result of OCD rather than the cause