Cards (17)

    • What is the core assumption for biological explanations to OCD?

      It is genetic
    • What are the two competing explanations for the onset of OCD?
      Candidate genes or a polygenic condition
    • What are candidate genes?

      A particular gene attributing to a specific condition; received from parents
    • What is a polygenic condition?

      Involvement of several genes; in OCD, gene 9 is inherited
    • What do family studies indicate about the onset of OCD in the degree of relatives?
      Higher percentage of first degree relatives have OCD, 10% compared to the prevalence rate of 2%
    • What did Taylor (2013) find about OCD?

      230 genes involved in the onset of OCD; different genetic variations contribute to different types of OCD
    • What is the COMT gene?
      Regulates the neurotransmitter dopamine, where one variation results in higher levels of dopamine in OCD patients
    • What is the SERT gene?
      Encodes the serotonin transporter protein, causing lower levels of serotonin to be active in the brain - associated with OCD
    • What is the neural explanation to OCD?

      Dysfunction of neurotransmitters and brain structures
    • What two neurotransmitters regulate mood?
      Serotonin and dopamine
    • What is the cause of lower levels of serotonin, as associated in OCD?
      An atypical firing rate at the postsynaptic neuron
    • What does higher levels of dopamine lead to?
      Compulsive behaviours
    • What brain structures in the frontal lobe have an abnormal brain circuit as associated with OCD?
      Basal ganglia and orbitofrontal cortex
    • What is the basal ganglia?

      Cluster of neurone at the base of the forebrain; involved in processes such as coordination of movement
    • What can head injuries to the basal ganglia lead to?
      OCD-like symptoms
    • What is the orbitofrontal cortex?
      Region that converts sensory information into thoughts and actions
    • What do PET scans of OCD patients in the orbitofrontal cortex show?
      Higher activity; increased conversion of sensory information to actions - resulting in compulsions
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