PSP N2

what is the genetic explanation for OCD

OCD is determined by DNA and inheritance

what does the genetic explanation for OCD determine it to be

polygenic

what does polygenic mean

determined by multiple genes

what are the two candidate genes

COMT and SERT

what does the COMT gene control

dopamine production

what level of dopamine is associated with OCD

high

what does the SERT gene control

serotonin absorption

what level of serotonin is associated with OCD

low

how does the sert and comt genes links to ocd

specific variations of the genes that change function are found in OCD patients

what is the diathesis stress model for ocd

genes create a vulnerability for ocd that must be triggered by a stress

what is the neural explanation for OCD

that OCD is caused by abnormalities in the brain and neurotransmitters

what are there typically abnormal levels of in OCD patients

neurotransmitters

what neurotransmitters are typically in abnormal levels of in OCD patients

serotonin and dopamine

what issues in the brain circuits are associated with OCD

frontal lobe abnormalities stop the suppression of worry signals from the orbitofrontal cortex creating a worry circuit

what is issues with brain circuits supported by

PET scans showing heightened activity of the OFC whilst symptoms are active

what proof is there to support the neural explanation for OCD surrounding neurotransmitters

when the levels of neurotransmitters found in OCD patients are simulated in animals they show OCD symptoms

what is supporting evidence for genetic explanations for OCD

lenane studied the prevalence of OCD between family members and found evidence of heritable contributions to OCD

what is a weakness of the biological explanation for ocd

biologically reductionist diathesis stress model

what evidence is there to indicate that stress plays a role in OCD acquisition

croner found that over 50% of his sample had experienced a traumatic event in the past with severity of event increasing severity of OCD

what evidence is there to support neural explanations for OCD

pichichero studies US health records and found that children with strep infections had sudden onset OCD symptoms

what idea does pichicheros study support

infections cause issues with neural mechanisms that lead to OCD

how does dopamine affect ocd

high levels increase drive to complete compulsions by acting as a reward

how does serotonin affect ocd

it contributes to the formation of the worry circuit

what does the biological approach to treating ocd focus on

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances

how long does drug treatment for ocd typically last

12-16 weeks

how long does drug treatment take to have an impact on symptoms

3 to 4 months

what are the two types of drug therapy for ocd

antidepressants and antipsychotics

how do antidepressants work to treat ocd

prevent the reuptake of serotonin in the synaptic cleft increasing serotonin levels in ocd individuals

how do antipsychotics work to treat ocd

they block dopamine receptors to decrease levels and obsession intensity

what support is there for use of SSRIS as treatment for OCD

juliens metanalysis found symptom improvement in 50 to 80% allowing them to live a normal life

what further support is there for drug treatments for OCD generally

cost effective for the NHS as in comparison to therapies they are cheaper more preffered and require less time

what is a problem with drug treatments for ocd and which study supports this

they arent effective in the long term supported by Koran

what did koran find about drug treatments for ocd

patients typically relapse in the weeks after treatment stops

what is an issue with the biological approach to treating ocd

biologically reductionist treats the symptoms not the cause