Obsessive-compulsive disorder pathophysiology

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Priyanka Kumari, M.B.B.S[2]Sonya Gelfand

Overview

Different biological and psychological explanations have been put forward to understand the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is generally agreed that neurotransmitters play an important role in the pathophysiology of obsessive–compulsive disorder.

Pathophysiology

  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder is thought to be caused by a variety of factors. Some forms of OCD appear to be familial and linked to other disorders such as tic disorders, depression, and obsessive compulsive personality disorder, while others appear to be familial but unrelated to other disorders, and even others display no family background.[1][2]
  • A type of size abnormality has been discovered in various brain structures, according to some studies. The majority of researchers conclude that there is an abnormality in the neurotransmitter serotonin, as well as other potential psychological or biological abnormalities; however, this activity may be the brain's reaction to OCD rather than its trigger.
  • Serotonin is believed to play a role in anxiety regulation, as well as other processes including sleep and memory. Synapses enable this neurotransmitter to travel from one nerve cell to the next. Serotonin must bind to receptor sites on neighboring nerve cells in order to transmit chemical messages. It's thought that OCD patients' receptor sites are blocked or impaired, preventing serotonin from reaching its full potential. The fact that many OCD patients benefit from the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant medication that allows more serotonin to be readily available to other nerve cells, backs up this theory. (See the section on potential OCD treatments for more information on this class of drugs.)[3]
  • A possible genetic mutation that causes OCD has been discovered in recent research. In unrelated families with OCD, researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health discovered a mutation in the human serotonin transporter gene, hSERT. Furthermore, Rasmussen (1994) produced data in his study of identical twins that supported the idea of a "heritable factor for neurotic anxiety." He also mentioned that how these anxiety symptoms are expressed is influenced by environmental factors. However, various studies on this topic are still ongoing, and the existence of a genetic link has yet to be proven.[4]
  • In August 2007, scientists at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina discovered another possible genetic cause of OCD. They created mice that were missing a gene called SAPAP3. This protein is abundant in the striatum, a brain region associated with planning and taking appropriate actions. The mice groomed themselves three times as much as normal mice, to the point where their fur fell off.[5]
  • Brain imaging is now possible thanks to technological advancements. It has been demonstrated using tools such as positron emission tomography (PET scans) that people with OCD have brain activity that differs from people who do not have the disorder. This suggests that OCD sufferers' brain functioning may be hampered in some way. According to Jeffrey Schwartz's book Brain Lock, OCD is caused by the part of the brain that is responsible for translating complex intentions (e.g., "I will pick up this cup") into fundamental actions (e.g., "move arm forward, rotate hand 15 degrees, etc.) failing to correctly communicate the chemical message that an action has been coerced. This is experienced as a sense of doubt and incompleteness, prompting the individual to attempt to consciously deconstruct their previous behavior — a process that causes anxiety in most people, even those who do not have OCD.
  • A miscommunication between the orbital-frontal cortex, the caudate nucleus, and the thalamus has been proposed as a possible factor in the explanation of OCD. The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is the first part of the brain to notice if there is a problem. When the OFC detects a problem, it sends a preliminary "worry signal" to the thalamus. When the thalamus receives this signal, it transmits signals to the OFC, which the OFC interprets. Between the OFC and the thalamus is the caudate nucleus, which prevents the initial worry signal from being sent back to the thalamus after it has already been received. However, it is thought that in people with OCD, the caudate nucleus does not function properly, allowing the initial signal to reappear. The thalamus becomes hyperactive as a result, and a seemingly endless loop of worry signals is sent back and forth between the OFC and the thalamus. In an attempt to alleviate this apprehension, the OFC increases anxiety and engages in compulsive behaviors.[3]

Neuropsychiatry

  • The striatum, orbitofrontal cortex, and cingulate cortex are the brain regions most affected by OCD. Several receptors including glutamate receptors (NMDA and non-NMDA), the H2, M4, nk1, are involved in OCD. A secondary effect is mediated by the 5-HT1D, 5-HT2C, and opioid receptors. The striatum is home to the H2, M4, nk1, and non-NMDA glutamate receptors, while the cingulate cortex is home to the NMDA receptors.
  • The activity of certain receptors is positively correlated to the severity of OCD, whereas the activity of certain other receptors is negatively correlated to the severity of OCD. Those correlations are as follows:
  • Activity positively correlated to severity:
  • Activity negatively correlated to severity:
  • The receptors nk1, non-NMDA glutamate receptors, and NMDA may be involved in the central dysfunction of OCD, whereas the other receptors may simply have secondary modulatory effects.
  • Aprepitant (nk1 antagonist), riluzole (glutamate release inhibitor), and tautomycin are examples of pharmaceuticals that act directly on those core mechanisms (NMDA receptor sensitizer).
  • The OC Foundation is also testing the anti-Alzheimer's drug memantine, which is an NMDA antagonist, for its efficacy in reducing OCD symptoms. Memantine may be considered for treatment-resistant OCD, according to a case study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry, but controlled studies are needed to support this assertion. Drugs used to treat the OCD are not fully efficacious as they are not thought to act on the core mechanisms responsible to cause OCD.[6]

Overview

The exact pathogenesis of [disease name] is not fully understood.

OR

It is thought that [disease name] is the result of / is mediated by / is produced by / is caused by either [hypothesis 1], [hypothesis 2], or [hypothesis 3].

OR

[Pathogen name] is usually transmitted via the [transmission route] route to the human host.

OR

Following transmission/ingestion, the [pathogen] uses the [entry site] to invade the [cell name] cell.

OR


[Disease or malignancy name] arises from [cell name]s, which are [cell type] cells that are normally involved in [function of cells].

OR

The progression to [disease name] usually involves the [molecular pathway].

OR

The pathophysiology of [disease/malignancy] depends on the histological subtype.

Pathophysiology

Physiology

The normal physiology of [name of process] can be understood as follows:

Pathogenesis

  • The exact pathogenesis of [disease name] is not completely understood.

OR

  • It is understood that [disease name] is the result of / is mediated by / is produced by / is caused by either [hypothesis 1], [hypothesis 2], or [hypothesis 3].
  • [Pathogen name] is usually transmitted via the [transmission route] route to the human host.
  • Following transmission/ingestion, the [pathogen] uses the [entry site] to invade the [cell name] cell.
  • [Disease or malignancy name] arises from [cell name]s, which are [cell type] cells that are normally involved in [function of cells].
  • The progression to [disease name] usually involves the [molecular pathway].
  • The pathophysiology of [disease/malignancy] depends on the histological subtype.

Genetics

[Disease name] is transmitted in [mode of genetic transmission] pattern.

OR

Genes involved in the pathogenesis of [disease name] include:

  • [Gene1]
  • [Gene2]
  • [Gene3]

OR

The development of [disease name] is the result of multiple genetic mutations such as:

  • [Mutation 1]
  • [Mutation 2]
  • [Mutation 3]

Associated Conditions

Conditions associated with [disease name] include:

  • [Condition 1]
  • [Condition 2]
  • [Condition 3]

Gross Pathology

On gross pathology, [feature1], [feature2], and [feature3] are characteristic findings of [disease name].

Microscopic Pathology

On microscopic histopathological analysis, [feature1], [feature2], and [feature3] are characteristic findings of [disease name].

Overview

The exact pathogenesis of [disease name] is not fully understood.

OR

It is thought that [disease name] is the result of / is mediated by / is produced by / is caused by either [hypothesis 1], [hypothesis 2], or [hypothesis 3].

OR

[Pathogen name] is usually transmitted via the [transmission route] route to the human host.

OR

Following transmission/ingestion, the [pathogen] uses the [entry site] to invade the [cell name] cell.

OR


[Disease or malignancy name] arises from [cell name]s, which are [cell type] cells that are normally involved in [function of cells].

OR

The progression to [disease name] usually involves the [molecular pathway].

OR

The pathophysiology of [disease/malignancy] depends on the histological subtype.

Pathophysiology

Physiology

The normal physiology of [name of process] can be understood as follows:

Pathogenesis

  • The exact pathogenesis of [disease name] is not completely understood.

OR

  • It is understood that [disease name] is the result of / is mediated by / is produced by / is caused by either [hypothesis 1], [hypothesis 2], or [hypothesis 3].
  • [Pathogen name] is usually transmitted via the [transmission route] route to the human host.
  • Following transmission/ingestion, the [pathogen] uses the [entry site] to invade the [cell name] cell.
  • [Disease or malignancy name] arises from [cell name]s, which are [cell type] cells that are normally involved in [function of cells].
  • The progression to [disease name] usually involves the [molecular pathway].
  • The pathophysiology of [disease/malignancy] depends on the histological subtype.

Genetics

[Disease name] is transmitted in [mode of genetic transmission] pattern.

OR

Genes involved in the pathogenesis of [disease name] include:

  • [Gene1]
  • [Gene2]
  • [Gene3]

OR

The development of [disease name] is the result of multiple genetic mutations such as:

  • [Mutation 1]
  • [Mutation 2]
  • [Mutation 3]

Associated Conditions

Conditions associated with [disease name] include:

  • [Condition 1]
  • [Condition 2]
  • [Condition 3]

Gross Pathology

On gross pathology, [feature1], [feature2], and [feature3] are characteristic findings of [disease name].

Microscopic Pathology

On microscopic histopathological analysis, [feature1], [feature2], and [feature3] are characteristic findings of [disease nam

References

  1. Pauls DL, Alsobrook JP, Goodman W, Rasmussen S, Leckman JF (1995). "A family study of obsessive-compulsive disorder". Am J Psychiatry. 152 (1): 76–84. doi:10.1176/ajp.152.1.76. PMID 7802125.
  2. Ozaki N, Goldman D, Kaye WH, Plotnicov K, Greenberg BD, Lappalainen J; et al. (2003). "Serotonin transporter missense mutation associated with a complex neuropsychiatric phenotype". Mol Psychiatry. 8 (11): 933–6. doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4001365. PMID 14593431.
  3. BBC Science and Nature: Human Body and Mind. Causes of OCD. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/articles/disorders/causesofocd.shtml>. Accessed April 15, 2006.
  4. Rasmussen, S.A. "Genetic Studies of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder" in Current Insights in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, eds. E. Hollander; J. Zohar; D. Marazziti & B. Oliver. Chichester, England: John Wiley & Sons, 1994, pp. 105-114.
  5. Missing gene creates obsessive-compulsive mouse, New Scientist August 2007
  6. Poyurovsky M, Weizman R, Weizman A, Koran L (2005). "Memantine for treatment-resistant OCD". The American journal of psychiatry. 162 (11): 2191–2. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.162.11.2191-a. PMID 16263867.


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