Biological causal factors

IT FOCUSES ON MENTAL DISORDERS AS DISEASES OF THE

NERVOUS SYSTEM. THESE DISORDERS ARE FIRST
RECOGNIZED AS HAVING BIOLOGICAL OR ORGANIC
COMPONENTS ASSOCIATED WITH DESTRUCTION OF
BRAIN TISSUE. IT IS NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE FOR
EXAMPLE DAMAGE TO CERTAIN AREA OF BRAIN CAN
CAUSE MEMORY LOSS.

Four categories of biological factors

Neurotransmitter and hormonal imbalances
neurotransmitter imbalances in the brain can result in
abnormal behavior. It can be cause of excessive
production and release of hormones or Problems
with the receptors.
Kinds of neurotransmitters:
1. Norepinephrine :

The function of norepinephrine which is a neurotransmitter is to

control alertness, emotions, sleeping, dreaming and learning. This hormone is also responsible
for increasing the heart rate and blood flow to some parts of the body such as the heart.

2. Dopamine : Dopamine has been implicated in

schizophrenia as well as in addictive disorders.
3. Serotonin : Serotonin effects on the way we think and
process information, behaviors and moods. Important role
in emotional disorders such as anxiety, depression as well
as in suicide

4. Gama aminobutyric. : Strongly implicated in reducing

anxiety as well as other emotional states characterized
by high levels of arousal.

Hormonal imbalances
Hormones are chemical secreted by a set of endocrine
glands in our bodies. Our central nervous system is linked
to the endocrine system (known as nueroendocrine
system) by the effects of hypothalamus on the pituitary
gland.
1. (CRH) Corticotropin-releasing hormone travel from the
hypothalamus to pituitary.
2. Pituitary releases adrenocorticotrophic hormone
(ACTH)which regulates adrenaline gland which plays
important role in stressfull situations. Cortisol mobilizes
the body to deal with stress.
3.hypothalamus Regulates temperature.
Sex hormones are produced by the gonadal glands
(androgens)

Genetic vulnerabilities
The biochemical processes are affected by Genes, which
consist of very long molecules of DNA and are present in
at various locations on chromosomes. Chromosomes are

the chain like structures within a cell nucleus that contain

the genes. Genes are the carriers of genetic information
that we inherit from our parents and ancestors. Most
mental disorders show at least some genetic influence
ranging from small to large. Some of these genetic
influences are first apparent in newborns and children.
Some children are shy or anxious, where as others are
more out going. Some genetic sources of vulnerability do
not manifest themselves until adolescence and
adulthood. 46 chromosomes. The normal inheritance
consists of 23 pair of chromosomes. 22 of these
chromosomes pair determine, by their biochemical
action, the individuals general anatomical and other
physiological characteristics. The sex chromosomes,
determine the individuals sex. Chromosomes are
associated with major defects or disorders. Down
syndrome is trisomy in chromosome 21. Anomalies may
also occur in the sex chromosomes.

Methods for studying genetic influences.

The family history method: immediate family members,
cousins, relatives and identify any pathology in any
member such that if child is having pathology he is
having disorder.
The twin method. Concordance rate-to be 100%. There
are no forms of psychopathology in DSM-IV TR where the

concordance rates for identical twins are this high. We

can conclude that no mental disorders are completely
heritable. Concordance rates are much lower for nonidentical twins than for identical twins.
Adoption method: the biological parents of the individual
who have given disorder and who have adopted away
shortly after birth are compared with the biological
parents of individuals without the disorder who also were
adopted away shortly after birth. In other variation,
researchers compare the rates of disorder in the adoptedaway offspring of biological parents who have a disorder
with those seen in the adopted-away offspring of normal
biological parents.
Separating genetic and environmental influences
Shared environmental influences are those that would
affect all children in a family similarly, such as
overcrowding, poverty, and sometimes family discord.
Non shared environmental influences are those in which
different children in a family differ. Unique experiences
include those at school and also some unique features of
upbringing in the home such as a parent treating one
child in a qualitatively different way from another.
Linkage analysis and association studies:
Recent molecular genetic methods used to study genetic
influences on mental disorders include linkage analysis
and association studies. Identifying the location of genes
for certain disorders could provide promising leads for

new forms of treatment and even prevention of those

disorders.
Temperament
Temperament refers to a childs reactivity and
characteristic ways of self-regulation. Differences in their
characteristic emotional and arousal responses to various
stimuli, and in their tendency to approach, with-draw or
attend to various situations. These behaviors are strongly
influenced by genetic factors also but prenatal and
postnatal environmental factors also play a role in their
development. Starting at about 2 to 3 months of age, 5
dimensions of temperament: fearfulness, irritability and
frustration, positive affect, activity level, and attentional
persistence.
Dimensions of adult personality:
1. Neuroticism and negative emotionality
2. Extraversion and positive emotionality
3. Constraint (conscientiousness and agreeableness)

The impact o the biological viewpoint

1. Important role of biochemical factors and innate
characteristics, many of which are genetically
determined both normal and abnormal behavior.
2. Since new development in the use of drugs that can
dramatically alert the severity and course of certain
mental disorders.

Biological treatment seem to have more immediate

results.