Neural explanations

• Neural explanations: 


  The genes associated with OCD are likely to affect levels of neurotransmitters and structures of brain.
• Role of serotonin: 


  -Believed to regulate mood.

  -Neurotransmitters are responsible for relying information from one neuron to another.

  -At least some cases of OCD may be explained by reduction in functioning of serotonin system in the brain.

  -As low serotonin levels are found in OCD sufferers.
• Decision-making:


  -Some cases of OCD seem to be associated with impaired decision making, e.g. hoarding disorders.

  -Can be associated with abnormal functioning of OCD sufferers of frontal lobes of the brain and are responsible for logical thinking and decision making.

  -Also evidence to suggest an area called left parahippocamal gyrus is associated with unpleasant emotions.
• Evaluation of neural explanations: 


  +some supporting evidence: the role of some neural mechanisms in OCD. For example, antidepressants work purely on the serotonin system, increasing levels of neurotransmitters and they are effective in reducing OCD symptoms.

  -Cause or effect?: not clear whether low serotonin levels are the cause or consequence of OCD. It's possible that symptoms develop first and effect is a reduction in serotonin. OCD and low serotonin is largely correlated in research.