AO3 Explaining OCD

• AO3 explaining OCD - GENETICE EXPLANATION

  • RESEARCH SUPPORT - Samuels et al found hoarding linked to specific gene in chromosome 14 using gene mapping, OCD has main underlying genetic component, may be triggered by external factors, primarily genetic,
  • COUNTER - Nestadt et al showed 68% of MZ twins would share OCD and only 31% of DZ - MZ should be 100% undermines genetics without congruence with another explanation, also deterministic predisposition to OCD
• Neural explanation for OCD

  • Orbitofrontal cortex hyperactivity in specific brain regions causing OCD - Saxena and Rauch
  • Scientific methods are objective - high validity of theory
• Neuro-imaging findings

  May be result of traumatic injury or even another disorder (Tourette's)
• Causation needs to be carefully considered as what may be inferred to be cause of faulty neural functions may be result of external factor
• The neural explanation for OCD is a reductionist argument that only takes nature into consideration, not nurture
• what is the structure of this essay?

  • GENETIC - Samuel hoarding linked to chromosome 14, primarily genetic, external triggers, DSM, counter with Nestadt 68% MZ and 31% DZ, undermines validity of genetic explanation, congruence with another explanation
  • NEURAL - Saxena & Rauch reviewed PET studies found association between OCD and OFC, supports hyperactivity causing OCD, counter with reductionist as only looks at 'nature', traumatic injury or another disorder shown on scans, causation, undermines validity