The Biological Approach and OCD

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What is the biological basis for explaining OCD?
OCD is caused by biological abnormalities within the genes, neuroanatomy and brain biochemistry
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What are the 3 types of candidate genes that can create vulnerability?
COMT gene, SERT gene and structural genes
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Why is OCD thought to be caused by biological factors?
OCD has been found to be linked to several candidate genes (it is polygenic) and to several structures in the brain (heterogenous); Taylor found up to 230 genes involved
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What can happen if the COMT gene mutates?
Low activity in the COMT gene; high dopamine levels; creates vulnerability to compulsions associated with OCD
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What can happen if the SERT gene mutates?
Low levels of serotonin transported; associated with OCD vulnerability; (Ozaki) found 6/7 members of 2 families with SERT gene mutation had OCD
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What does the Diathesis-Stress Model say about genes associated with OCD?
They only create vulnerability, stressors need to be present to cause OCD
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How can biochemistry (neural) cause vulnerability?
Neurotransmitters are associated with the frontal lobe; create vulnerability when abnormal; Serotonin = low levels; Dopamine = high levels
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How can neuroanatomy (neural) cause vulnerability?
Damage to brain structures; caudate nucleus deals with suppressing anxiety; parahippocampal gland deals with processing unpleasant emotions; frontal lobes deal with logical + decisive thoughts
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What are the pros of explaining OCD with biology?
Drugs for serotonin levels are effective; (Nestadt) found 68% monozygotic twins shared OCD vs 31% of dizygotic
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What are the cons of explaining OCD with biology?
Concordance rates are never 100%; scans yet to find one constant structure; OCD is co-morbid; uncertainty over whether OCD causes or is caused by serotonin levels; (Cromer) 1/2 of patients had traumatic experience, with more severe OCD
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What are SSRIs?
Medication for biochemical imbalance of serotonin; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; block reabsorption sites for serotonin; postsynaptic neutron is continuously stimulated because of more serotonin available;
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What are Tricyclics and SNRIs?
Medication acting on serotonin and noradrenaline; Serotonin-Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors; when SSRIs don't work; more side effects
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Why are anti-anxiety drugs sometimes used?
Slow down CNS activity to enhance GABAs suppressing role; anxiety suppressed; OCD is co-morbid
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What are the pros of using medication?
(Soomro) drugs are more effective treatment than placebos (biological > cognitive); cost-effective
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What are the cons of using medication?
(Goldacre) drug companies sponsor drug trials; symptoms return as soon as medication stops; CBT is often needed to deal with emotional aspects, but drugs help patients engage in CBT better
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What are the 3 types of candidate genes that can create vulnerability?

Back

COMT gene, SERT gene and structural genes

Card 3

Front

Why is OCD thought to be caused by biological factors?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What can happen if the COMT gene mutates?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What can happen if the SERT gene mutates?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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