4.6.2.3 Evaluation of Neural Explanations

• What is the name of the region labeled "Anterior cingulate cortex" in the image?

  Anterior cingulate cortex
• What are the main brain circuits labeled in the image?

  • Sensorimotor circuit (green)
  • Dorsal cognitive circuit (blue)
  • Ventral cognitive circuit (yellow)
  • Ventral affective circuit (purple)
  • Fronto-limbic circuit (red)
• Which brain structure is responsible for decision-making in OCD?

  Frontal cortex
• What does the dorsal circuit in OCD handle?

  Decision-making and planning
• What two brain structures are involved in OCD?

  Frontal lobe and limbic system
• What is the role of the amygdala in the brain circuits shown?

  The amygdala is a central hub that connects the different brain circuits
• What happens to the circuits involved in OCD?

  They become overactive, leading to compulsive behaviors
• How do the functions of the frontal lobe and parietal lobe differ?

  Frontal lobe:

  • Involved in higher-order cognitive functions like decision making, problem solving, and language

  Parietal lobe:

  • Processes sensory information and spatial awareness
• What is the main neural circuit involved in OCD that monitors actions?

  Anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)
• What are the abbreviations for the different brain regions labeled in the image?

  • SMA: Supplementary motor area
  • pre-SMA: Pre-supplementary motor area
  • dIPFC: Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
  • dmPFC: Dorsomedial prefrontal cortex
  • IFG: Inferior frontal gyrus
  • vIPFC: Ventrolateral prefrontal cortex
  • OFC: Orbitofrontal cortex
  • vmPFC: Ventromedial prefrontal cortex
  • vCaud: Ventral caudate
  • dCaud: Dorsal caudate
  • pPut: Posterior putamen
• What is the name of the region labeled "Frontal cortex" in the image?

  Frontal cortex
• What brain structure generates obsessions in OCD?

  Orbital frontal cortex (OFC)
• How are the different brain circuits in the image related to each other?

  • The circuits are interconnected, with the amygdala serving as a central hub
  • The sensorimotor, dorsal cognitive, and ventral cognitive circuits are more functionally segregated
  • The ventral affective and fronto-limbic circuits are more integrated with the other circuits
• How do the frontal lobe and limbic system interact in OCD?

  They work together through interconnected neural circuits
• What are the main lobes of the cerebral cortex?

  • Frontal lobe
  • Parietal lobe
  • Temporal lobe
  • Occipital lobe
• What is the primary function of dopamine in the brain?

  Dopamine is involved in reward, motivation, and movement control
• What is the role of the ventral circuit in OCD?

  It manages emotional processing via connections to the amygdala
• Which structure is involved in habit formation related to OCD?

  Basal ganglia
• What is the significance of serotonin in the context of OCD?

  Serotonin levels affect checking behaviors
• What is a limitation of neural explanations for OCD related to reductionism?

  It neglects psychological and environmental factors.
• What is the relationship between dopamine pathways and habit formation in OCD?

  Dopamine pathways contribute to excessive habits
• How do the brain regions involved in dopamine and serotonin processing differ?

  • Dopamine processing is more focused in the ventral and dorsal striatum, as well as the prefrontal cortex
  • Serotonin processing is more widespread, involving the raphe nuclei, cingulate cortex, insula, and prefrontal regions
  • There is some overlap, such as in the posterior cingulate cortex and prefrontal areas, but the overall patterns differ
• What type of drugs have shown effectiveness in treating OCD symptoms?

  SSRIs that increase serotonin levels
• What are the key differences between the roles of dopamine and serotonin in the brain?

  • Dopamine is primarily involved in reward, motivation, and movement control
  • Serotonin is primarily involved in mood regulation, sleep, and appetite
  • Dopamine processing is more localized, while serotonin processing is more widespread in the brain
• What is a key strength of neural explanations for OCD?

  Objective approach to understanding the disorder
• What is the purpose of the dashed lines in the image?

  The dashed lines represent connections between the different brain circuits
• What is the primary function of serotonin in the brain?

  Serotonin is involved in mood regulation, sleep, and appetite
• How do obsessive rituals relate to the caudate nucleus in OCD?

  They are performed repeatedly due to habit formation
• What are the key strengths of neural explanations for OCD?

  • Objective approach using empirical data
  • Treatment effectiveness of SSRIs
  • Identification of biological markers
• What are the key brain regions involved in serotonin processing?

  • RN (Raphe Nuclei)
  • dACC (Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex)
  • Insula
  • Striatum
  • PCC (Posterior Cingulate Cortex)
  • vmPFC (Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex)
  • SM Cortices (Sensorimotor Cortices)
• What neurotransmitter is often found at reduced levels in people with OCD?

  Serotonin
• What do neural explanations of OCD not cover?

  They don't cover the whole picture
• Which neurotransmitters are disrupted in OCD?

  Serotonin and dopamine
• What is the effect of performing compulsive rituals on anxiety in OCD?

  They temporarily relieve anxiety, reinforcing the cycle
• What biological markers have been identified in OCD research?

  • Reduced serotonin levels
  • Increased activity in frontal cortex
  • Differences in brain structures
• How do treatment outcomes support neural explanations for OCD?

  SSRIs effectively reduce OCD symptoms
• What part of the brain is linked to excessive habit formation due to dopamine disruption?

  Basal ganglia
• How do disrupted dopamine pathways affect behavior in OCD?

  They lead to excessive habit formation
• What role does sociocultural context play in OCD?

  It can contribute to the development of OCD
• What role does low serotonin play in OCD?

  It causes overactive checking behaviors