Neural Explaination For OCD

Question 1

Brain and OCD

Answer 1

Lateral parts of Frontal lobe- responsible for decision making and logical reasoning.
-damage to this region is linked to OCD

Question 2

Orbital frontal cortex

Answer 2

OFC Picks up a stressor (something of concern) eg dirt on table
- caudate nucleus filters worry info from OFC and passes on important things to thalamus then thalamus sends back to OFC to decide what to do.
-with OCD caudate nucleus doesn’t do it’s job right and passes on all info (doesn’t filter it)
- so all info goes to thalamus and person is constantly sent signals to deal with problems (carry out compulsion to reduce anxiety)

Question 3

What’s the thalamus and caudate nucleus called

Answer 3

Basil ganglia

Question 4

Study - Surgery to reduce anxiety

Answer 4

Surgery that disconnects the basic ganglia from the frontal cortex can reduce symptoms of OCD, shows the caudate nucleus is responsible for sending signals as when disconnected obsessions lessen.

Question 5

What happens if you have a faulty OFC

Answer 5

If person has faulty OFC they can’t make logical reasonings so they keep washing their hands for example.

Question 6

Naural added

Answer 6

Serotonin low - anxiety
Dopamine- obessions