UPDATED OCD BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATION

Question 1

Neural Explanation

Answer 1

The role of neurochemicals have been implicated with having an abnormal transmission of mood related and obsessive thoughts.

Question 2

Neurotransmitters in OCD patients

Answer 2

Dopamine levels are usually high within OCD patients.
Serotonin levels are usually low within OCD patients.

Question 3

Structural deficits implication within OCD

Answer 3

Hyperactivity within the basal ganglia has been associated with repetitive actions which are similar to the OCD symptom of compulsions.

If the caudate nucleus-thalamus loop is faulty, then the individual will struggle to filter out small worries which is linked to the OCD symptom of obsessive thoughts. The worry circuit is overactive.

Question 4

Genetic Explanations

Answer 4

The idea that OCD is inherited through generations.

Question 5

Candidate genes + Polygenic + Aetiologically Heterogeneous

Answer 5

Candidate genes: these have been identified to cause a genetic vulnerability to adopting OCD.

Polygenic: There are various candidate genes found to have an implication with OCD.
Taylor et al around 230 candidate genes implicated with OCD.

Aetiologically Heterogeneous: Different combinations of genes cause OCD for different people. Also explains why there are different types of OCD.

Question 6

COMT gene

Answer 6

COMT gene regulates the level of dopamine; low activity in the COMT gene causes high levels of dopamine which has been implicated in OCD.

Question 7

SERT gene

Answer 7

Affects the transport of serotonin which leads to lower levels of this neurotransmitter; low levels of serotonin has been implicated with OCD.