Biological Apporach To OCD

Question 1

What is the main theory

Answer 1

Ocd is caused by neural abnormalities in the structure or function of the brain

Question 2

What does the biological approach consist of

NAGI

Answer 2

Neural abnormalities, genes, illness

Question 3

What is the abnormality in the loop of basal ganglia and orbito frontal cortex

Answer 3

Over activity of direct pathway that triggers concerns about danger
Under activity of indirect pathway which inhibits compulsive behaviour

Question 4

What are neurotransmitters

Answer 4

Chemicals in the brain that allow messages to be sent between Brain cells

Question 5

How are neurotransmitters linked to OCD

Answer 5

Mutations in genes linked to activity of neurotransmitter serotonin has been found in patients with ocd.
- medicines that increase serotonin decrease symptoms of OCD

Question 6

Describe baxters study

Answer 6

Patients who had treatment of SSRI’s or CBT found they were both as effective so the brain abnormality could be a consequence not a cause if therapy managed to treat it as well as serotonin

Question 7

evaluate the biological approach

Answer 7

Can’t be sure of cause and effect between neutral abnormalities and ocd

Question 8

Describe polaks study

Answer 8

Study of a man who had a heart attack and suffered brain damage to his basal ganglia - brain starved of oxygen
Showed compulsive whistling behaviour which worsened when he was tired

Question 9

Describe nestadt’s study - twins

Answer 9

Found the MZ concordance rate of OCD was 68% while DZ was 31%
So there must be a genetic explanation, but it is not 100% so other factors must also effect it

Question 10

Describe van grootheest

Answer 10

19 studies of 10,000 twins
Found that OCD is developed more strongly if developed in childhood than in adult hood, so environmental triggers can cause adults to have OCD

Question 11

What are SSRIS

Answer 11

specific serotonin uptake inhibitors

Question 12

Give details of how serotonin is given

Answer 12

20mg a day 
3-4 months gradually stopped 
GP or Psychologist 
Side effects - irritability 
Sleep disturbances 
Headaches 
Suicidal thoughts

Question 13

How does SSRI’s reduce OCD

Answer 13

Stays in synaptic gap for longer so that the orbito frontal cortex could function normally and stop compulsions

Question 14

Describe korans study

Answer 14

Added olanzapine to lower dopamine levels
Mean score on Yale brown obsessive compulsive scale was 29
Dropped to 24
:(- 2/3 of patients put on weight
Small sample + no placebo

Question 15

Evaluate the appropriateness of SSRIS

Answer 15

Unpleasant side effects
Brings a small symptom reduction even if it doesn’t completely treat it so people can carry on with jobs which helps the economy