Genetic explanation

• What are genetic explanations?

  Propose that genes are involved in individual vulnerability to OCD
• who is the key psychologists for genetic explanations?

  Lewis 1936
• what did Lewis 1936 find

  • in his OCD patients, 37% had parents with OCD
  • 21% of siblings had OCD
  • OCD does run in families, but it is probably the genetic vulnerability that is passed on, not the certainty of OCD
• what does the diathesis stress model state?

  certain genes leave some people more likely to suffer a mental disorder but some environmental stress is necessary to trigger the disorder
• what are candidate genes?

  genes that create vulnerability for OCD
• how do candidate genes work?

  some are involved in regulating the development of the serotonin system
• what is an example of a candidate gene?

  5HTI-D beta
• what is 5HTI-D beta involved in?

  the efficiency of transport of serotonin across synapses
• what is meant by OCD being polygenic?

  OCD is not caused by one single gene by several genes instead
• who analysed findings of studies into OCD being polygenic?

  taylor 2013
• what did Taylor 2013 find?

  evidence for 230 different genes being involved in OCD
• what are genes that have been studied in relation to ocd involved with what neurotransmitters?

  dopamine and serotonin
• what is dopamine and serotonin

  neurotransmitters that play a role in regulating mood
• what is the name for the idea that the origin of OCD has different causes?

  Aetiologically heterogenous
• explain OCD being aetiologically heterogenous

  one group of genes may cause OCD in one person but a different group of genes may cause the disorder in another
• what may different types of OCD be the result of

  genetic variation