Biological Approach To Explaining OCD: Genetic Explanation

Question 1

Who is the key researcher for genetic explanations of OCD

Answer 1

Nedstadt et al. (2000)

Question 2

What were Nedstadt et al’s. findings

Answer 2

• first degree relatives of OCD sufferers had a high chance of developing the disorder
  -12% chance with first degree relatives
  -3% chance risk for control group

Question 3

What are the key terms associated with genetic explanation

Answer 3

-know genes are definitely part of the cause of OCD, it’s not known which ones are important
- 230 candidate genes
- OCD is polygenic
- COMT Gene & SERT Gene
- aetiologically heterogeneous

Question 4

What does aetiologically heterogeneous mean

Answer 4

Different combinations of of genes cause different types of OCD in different people

Question 5

COMT Gene is…

Answer 5

A mutation of this gene causes low levels of the enzyme

• regulates the amount of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain
• low levels of the enzymes mean high levels of dopamine

Question 6

SERT Gene is…

Answer 6

A gene that creates a protein which removes serotonin and recycles it

• when a mutation of this gene creates too much of the protein, serotonin levels go down

Question 7

What is the interactionist approach (Diathesis stress model)

Answer 7

• certain genes leave some people more likely to suffer a mental disorder but it is not certain as some environmental stress is necessary to trigger the condition

Question 8

Diathesis =

Answer 8

Genetic vulnerability

Question 9

Stress =

Answer 9

Environment

Question 10

Monozygotic twins