Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Biological Explanation and Treatment of OCD - Coggle Diagram
Biological Explanation and Treatment of OCD
Explanation
Neural
Neurochemistry
Dopamine
Feelings: Euphoria, motivation, pleasure
Low dopamine: do not get the feeling of reward so repeat behaviour to feel the sense of achievement
Function: Pleasure, motivation, reward, focus
Serotonin
Feelings: Calm, happiness, wellbeing
Low serotonin: low levels are linked to compulsions
Function: Mood regulation, sleep, appetite, digestion
Neuroanatomy
Role of damaged caudate nucleus
Orbitofrontal cortex - Problem detection
Thalamus - Solution
Caudate nucleus fails to suppress signals from orbitofrontal cortex
Caudate nucleus - move on/gearshift
'Worry circuit'
Genetic
Studies
Taylor (2013)
OCD is polygenic
230 candidate genes may contribute to OCD
COMT gene
Ozaki et al. (2003)
SERT gene
Candidate genes
Mutation of SERT gene was found in 2 unrelated families where 6 of 7 members had OCD
Nedstadt et al. (2000)
1st degree relatives = 12%
General population = 3%
Inherit genetic predispostion
Candidate genes
Impaired COMT
Regulates Dopamine
Too much dopamine in synapse
Results in compulsive behaviours
Impaired SERT
Regulates Serotonin
Not enough serotonin transported
Correlates to OCD cases
Treatment
Drug Therapy
Impact the neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are released in the synapse
SSRIs
Increase serotonin levels in brain
S
elective
S
erotonin
R
euptake
I
nhibitors
Decrease the reabsorption of serotonin so more is available at synaptic gap
They block the transport of serotonin back into the pre-synaptic neuron from the synaptic gap
Type of antidepressants