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OCD + Biological Approach
AO1 OCD+Bio
Genetic AO1
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Cards (12)
The genetic explanation suggests that OCD is
inherited
Individuals
inherit
specific
genes
which cause OCD
OCD is a
polygenic
condition
What does polygenic mean?
Multiple
genes are involved in development of a
condition
According to
Taylor
(2013) up to
230
different genes may be invloved in OCD
How can genes that cause OCD be identified?
Comparing DNA of person with
OCD
with other people to showed that some genes make people more
vulnerable
to developing OCD
What are
candidate
genes?
Genes that are
believed
to be associated with a particular
trait
or
disease.
What are the two candidate genes associated with OCD?
COMT
gene
and
SERT gene
What is the COMT gene?
A gene that codes for an
enzyme
that breaks down
dopamine
What is dopamine?
Neurotransmitter which produces
pleasure
when the ‘reward pathway‘ in the brain is activated
What variation of the COMT gene is more common in patients with OCD?
Variation that results in
higher
levels of
dopamine
What is the SERT gene?
The SERT gene encodes the serotonin transporter
protein.
Variation may cause
lower
levels of serotonin which is associated with OCD (and
depression
)