P1 Psychopathology - Biological Approach to Explain OCD Flashcards
What is a concordance rate?
A measure of genetic similarity. In a sample of, for example, 100 twin pairs, one twin of each pair has a phobic disorder. The number of times their other twin also shows the illness determines the concordance rate, so if 40 have phobic disorder, then the concordance rate is 40%.
What is dopamine?
One of the key neurotransmitters in the brain, with effects on motivation and drive.
What is serotonin?
A neurotransmitter implicated in many different behaviours and physiological processes, including aggression, eating behaviour, sleep and depression
What is a neurotransmitter?
Chemical substances that play an important part in the workings of the nervous system by transmitting nerve impulses across a synapse.
What is a gene (COMT and SERT)?
A part of the chromosome of an organism that carries information in the form of DNA
What is the orbitofrontal cortex?
The OFC is located in the frontal cortex and is responsible for sending signals to the thalamus about things that are worrying such as a potential germ hazard.
