GENETIC

• What are the two main candidate genes involved with OCD?

  COMT gene and SERT gene
• What is the COMT gene?

  responsible for regulating the production of dopamine.
• how is the COMT gene different in people with OCD?

  The variant found in OCD patients is less active so dopamine levels increase because they are less regulated
• What is the SERT gene?

  affects how the neurochemical serotonin is transported in the brain
• how is the SERT gene different in people with OCD?

  The mutation found in OCD patients causes lower level of serotonin to be present because the brain finds it harder to transport the serotonin
• Strengths of the Genetic Explanation of OCD

  Supported by twin studies - One study found a concordance rate of 68% for MZ twins and 31% for DZ twins
• Limitations of the Genetic Explanation of OCD

  Twin studies evidence may be flawed - MZ twins share identical DNA but are also treated more similarly than DZ twins

  
  

  Unable to predict OCD - scientists do not know how many genes are linked to OCD

  
  

  Incomplete - diathesis-stress model, studies have found 50% of people with OCD have experienced a traumatic event