Obsessive-compulsive disorder causes
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [6] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Abhishek Reddy
Overview
Causes
Psychological
As a part of evolution, different species have grown to safeguard themselves by gathering/ hoarding food and constantly check for the threats around them. These evolutionary traits being passed on from generations may have a psychological cause for OCD. [1]
Biological
Abnormalities with the neurotransmitter serotonin has been linked to OCD. It is hypothesized that the OCD sufferers may have relatively understimulated serotonin receptors. This suggestion is supported by the observation that many OCD patients benefit from the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of antidepressant medications that allow for more serotonin to be available to the serotonin receptors. [2]
Genetic factors may contribute to OCD. 45-65% of OCD symptoms in children diagnosed with the disorder are accounted by genetic factors in general. [3]
A mutation has been found in the human serotonin transportergene, hSERT, in unrelated families with OCD.[4] People with OCD had increased regional grey matter volumes in bilateral lenticular nuclei, extending to the caudate nuclei, as well as decreased volumes in bilateral dorsal medial frontal/anterior cingulate gyri.[5]
Rapid onset of OCD in children and adolescents may be caused by a syndrome connected to Group A streptococcal infections (PANDAS)or caused by immunologic reactions to other pathogens (PANS). [6]
Neurotransmitters role
Brain scans of people with OCD suggests different pattern of brain activity than in people without OCD. The scans also show different functioning of circuitry in the striatum. [7] Unusual dopamine and serotonin activity has been found in various regions of the brain in individuals with OCD which can be defined as dopaminergic hyperfunction in the prefrontal cortex and serotonergic hypofunction in the basal ganglia.[8]
References
- ↑ Bracha, H. (2006). "Human brain evolution and the "Neuroevolutionary Time-depth Principle:" Implications for the Reclassification of fear-circuitry-related traits in DSM-V and for studying resilience to warzone-related posttraumatic stress disorder". Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry 30 (5): 827–853. doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2006.01.008. PMID 16563589.
- ↑ BBC Science and Nature: Human Body and Mind. Causes of OCD. [1]
- ↑ Abramowitz, Jonathan; et al, Steven; McKay, Dean (2009). "Obsessive-compulsive disorder". The Lancet 374 (9688): 491–9. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.108.055046. PMID 19880927.
- ↑ Ozaki, N., D Goldman, W. H., Plotnicov, K., Greenberg, B. D., J Lappalainen, G. R., & Murphy, D. L. (2003). Serotonin transporter missense mutation associated with a complex neuropsychiatric phenotype. Molecular Psychiatry, Volume 8, 933-936. [2]
- ↑ PMID 19880927 [3]
- ↑ "PANDAS studies are no longer recruiting patients".[4] Bethesda, MD: National Institute of Mental Health, Pediatrics and Developmental Neuroscience Branch. 24 February 2009. Retrieved 13 December 2009.
- ↑ "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Cause". [5] 2010-06-21. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
- ↑ "New approach to obsessive-compulsive disorder: dopaminergic theories"