Biological approach to OCD

• Describe the biological approach to treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

  use of drug therapy to ‘correct’ imbalance of neurochemicals, e.g. serotonin, to reduce symptoms associated with OCD

  SSRIs – prevent the reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin in the brain, continue to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron

  timescale – 3–4 months of daily use for SSRIs to impact upon symptoms

  alternatives to SSRIs – tricyclics, SNRIs

  other drugs – benzodiazepines for general relaxation and reduction of anxiety
• Outline the biological approach to explaining OCD

  Specific candidate genes eg gene 9, COMT gene, SERT gene, 5HT1-D beta gene which create vulnerability for OCD

  OCD appears polygenic with up to 230 genes involved

  Low levels of neurotransmitters eg serotonin may be removed too quickly from the synapse before impulses have been passed on

  Communication within certain areas of the brain (e.g. the basal ganglia system) is disturbed and might account for the repetitive behaviours seen in OCD e.g. lowered mood and depression

  Abnormal activity in the orbital frontal cortex/thalamus related to impaired decision making

  Abnormal functioning of the parahippocampal gyrus related to the regulation of unpleasant emotions.