Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Biological approach to explaining
OCD (GENETIC)
- COMT gene
- Involved in production
of catechol - O
-methyltransferase
- Regulates production
of neurotransmitter -
DOPAMINE
- One allele of the
gene has been
found to be more
abundant in those
with OCD
- This allele produces
lower activity of COMT
gene and higher levels
of dopamine
- SERT gene
- Affects transport of
SEROTONIN, creating
lower levels of the
neurotransmitter
- One study found a
mutation of the gene
in 2 unrelated
families and 6/7 had
OCD
- DIATHESIS - STRESS
- Each individual gene ONLY
creates a vulnerability
(diathesis) for OCD as well
as other conditons, i.e.
depression and PTSD
- Other factors
(stressors) affect
what condition
develops
- So someone could have
the COMT and SERT
genes but no ill effects
- Family and twin studies
- 80 patients with OCD and 343 of
their first degree relatives were
compared to 73 people without
mental illness and 300 of their
first degree relatives
- Found people with a first
degree relative with OCD
have a 5X greater chance
of having the illness at
some point.
- Meta analysis of 14 twin
studies found on average
MZ twins were over 2X
likely to develop OCD if 1
twin had the disorder