WIKIMEDIA, LARS KLINTWALL MALMQVISTThe abnormal brain activity seen in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a likely cause of the condition, according to two papers published today (June 6) in Science. Both studies used optogenetic techniques, which allow specific brain cells to be turned on and off at the flick of a light switch, to link the abnormal brain activity to OCD behavior in mice.
“It’s outstanding neuroscience in that the tandem of studies complement one another beautifully, but also in that they leverage state-of-the-art technology,” said Scott Rauch, a professor of psychiatry at McLean Hospital, in Belmont Massachusetts, who was not involved in the studies. “Both papers are exceptional.”
“These two papers have confirmed the causal relationship between [neural] circuit abnormalities and [OCD-like] behavior,” said Chris Pittenger, a professor of psychiatry at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, who was also not involved in the research. “And that’s of substantial value.”
OCD is a debilitating condition characterized by intrusive thoughts that cause anxiety as well as compulsive repetitive behaviors. “I’m a psychiatrist as well as a researcher and I primarily treat OCD patients,” said Susanne Ahmari, a professor of ...
