New OCD Gene Discovery

Scientists Identify Genetic Links To OCD And Chronic Tic Disorders For New Treatments

Researchers have identified 36 genes that significantly increase the risk for obsessive-compulsive disorder and chronic tic disorders, raising the prospect of new treatments for these disorders. The study, which analyzed DNA from nearly 4,000 people diagnosed with these conditions, found that these genes are shared between OCD and chronictic disorders and involve many of the same brain pathways. The discovery could aid the design of drugs that target these underlying mechanisms rather than simply managing symptoms. The researchers also found that several of the identified genes were previously linked to autism and schizophrenia. The findings were published in Nature Neuroscience and suggest that multiple psychiatric conditions may stem from related disruptions in brain development and communication.