Articles tagged with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
A prospective study found that stereotactic radiosurgical capsulotomy significantly reduced symptoms of major depression and thoughts of suicide among patients with severe, treatment-resistant psychiatric illness. Benefits were largely sustained over a median follow-up of more than three years.
A Rutgers-led international team identified 36 genes linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and chronic tic disorders, providing a detailed biological understanding of how these conditions develop. The findings suggest that many of the genes are shared between the conditions and can be targeted using whole-network approaches.
Researchers found that meaning in life and healthy digital habits are strong predictors of better mental health outcomes. These factors can be strengthened through interventions, regardless of religious affiliation.
Researchers have developed a new assessment tool to standardize reporting of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies. The Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Reporting Assessment Tool (TMS-RAT) helps compare results, build on each other's findings, and support progress in brain stimulation research. This tool addresses the need f...
A study by Brown University researchers found that serotonin helps reduce belief stickiness, making it easier to update beliefs and adapt to changes. This discovery holds implications for understanding and treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Researchers at UC Riverside have identified a key neural circuit, the locus coeruleus, which plays a central role in cognitive flexibility and adapting to new rules. Disrupting this circuit impairs the brain's ability to reorganize neural networks during complex decision-making.
Gonçalo Cotovio uses lesion network mapping to identify the circuits responsible for psychiatric symptoms, aiming to develop personalized brain stimulation treatments. His work has produced striking findings in mania and obsessive-compulsive disorder, with ambitions to extend to disordered feeding behavior.
Researchers identify calcium as a key chemical signal that triggers immune cells during obsessive-compulsive and anxiety-related behaviors. This discovery establishes a new framework to study how anxiety arises and persists through calcium signals in microglia, potentially leading to targeted therapies.
Researchers found differences in how brain regions work together during certain cognitive tasks in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The findings may lead to new treatment targets for OCD, especially when involving transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
A new study identifies a brain circuit that can drive repetitive and compulsive behaviors in mice, even when natural rewards are available. The researchers used optogenetics to activate the circuit and induce negative states in mice, leading to prioritization of repetitive behaviors over natural needs.
A systematic review synthesizes clinical and preclinical evidence on psilocybin's effects on obsessive-compulsive behaviours, revealing consistent anti-compulsive effects in human patients and validated animal models. Single doses of psilocybin led to rapid symptom reductions in clinical populations.
A comprehensive review of emerging neuromodulation techniques reveals their potential to treat treatment-resistant OCD. Targeting abnormal brain activity, these methods aim to normalize circuits underlying decision-making and emotion regulation.
A new study led by Prof. Eyal Kalanthroff and Prof. Helen Blair Simpson found that acute trauma can spark the onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or intensify existing symptoms. Nearly 40% of survivors from Gaza communities met OCD criteria, with new-onset symptoms reported by nearly one in four.
Researchers have identified two brain waves, alpha and delta waves, as key markers for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). These findings could lead to more targeted deep brain stimulation treatments, improving outcomes for patients. The discovery provides a significant breakthrough in understanding OCD and its neural mechanisms.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation invites a free webinar on transforming OCD treatment outcomes. Dr. Helen Blair Simpson will discuss the most effective first-line treatments and neuroimaging research seeking to uncover brain mechanisms underlying OCD.
Research reveals that children with OCD have significantly higher rates of rare copy number variants in their DNA compared to healthy children. The study's findings support previous studies and pave the way for future research into earlier diagnosis and targeted treatments.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new, minimally invasive method called DeepFocus for treating depression and other neural conditions using transnasal electrical stimulation. This technique offers more accurate and efficient targeting of deep brain structures with lower risk.
Researchers have identified three cell types in the median raphe nucleus that control decisions on perseverance, exploration, and disengagement. These findings may help understand neuropsychiatric conditions such as OCD, autism, and major depressive disorder.
Research suggests that people with OCD have similar delay discounting and risk tolerance as neurotypical individuals, challenging previous theories about the condition's impact on decision-making. The study's findings may lead to more individualized interventions for OCD treatment.
A researcher is helping young people and older adults tackle hoarding disorder through subtle and positive intervention methods. Her work focuses on the psychosocial impact of hoarding symptoms in college students and the potential for early intervention, finding that simple interventions can lead to life-changing outcomes.
A new study found that psilocybin significantly reduced OCD-like behaviors and tic-like head-body twitches in genetically modified mice. The research provides hope for new treatments for these conditions and may offer benefits for patients who have not responded to current therapies.
Researchers found that intensive outpatient group- and family-based CBT that integrates telehealth can lead to significant improvements in pediatric anxiety and OCD symptoms. The hybrid model showed lasting gains for children even after treatment ended, with most families continuing to meet with clinicians after discharge.
The Digitally programmable Over-brain Therapeutic (DOT) device, the size of a pea, activates the motor cortex, allowing patients to move their hands. The technology offers greater patient autonomy and accessibility than current neurostimulation-based therapies.
A recent study by University of Cincinnati Blue Ash students found that individuals with clinically significant levels of OCD are more prone to problematic smartphone use. The research also highlighted the impact of fear of missing out, boredom proneness, and inhibitory anxiety on the relationship between OCD and PSU.
A new study finds that exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) therapy for OCD improves cognitive control by strengthening connections between brain networks. This breakthrough sheds light on the mechanisms underlying EX/RP's effectiveness in treating OCD, paving the way for targeted therapies.
A new study uses brain imaging to explore the neural underpinnings of uncertainty processing in OCD, finding that patients struggle with certainty and decision-making, particularly when outcomes are more certain. This understanding may offer new hope for developing therapies targeting uncertainty processing in OCD.
Researchers found a disrupted balance between glutamate and GABA neurotransmitters in the brains of people with OCD, which may lead to new treatment strategies. The study also suggests that excess glutamate levels could serve as a biomarker for OCD.
Researchers at the University of Utah Health have made a groundbreaking discovery about the role of microglia in controlling anxiety-related behaviors. The study found that specific microglia populations activate anxiety behaviors while others dampen them, and these cells communicate with neurons to invoke behaviors.
Hoarding disorder affects 2% of the population with clutter in homes and excessive acquisition of possessions. The new guidance provides best practice for diagnosing and supporting those affected.
Researchers at McGill University found that analyzing gene activity can classify brain diseases into five primary groups, improving diagnosis accuracy. The study identified previously unknown relationships among diseases, such as language development disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which share common genes and cell types.
The Octapharma USA grant supports the Immunoglobulin National Society's breakfast symposium on PANS/PANDAS, a subset of pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome associated with strep. The program will focus on diagnosis criteria, pathogenic mechanisms, and current treatment options for challenging cases.
Research reveals that individuals with OCD exhibit lower-than-normal learning rates when rewards are less than expected, while those with problem gambling display boosted learning from high rewards and blunted learning from low rewards. This study highlights the benefits of using neurocomputational approaches to understand psychiatric ...
A new study published in GigaScience has made available an enormous amount of behavioral data from an animal model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), comprising over 2 years of continuous recording. The data set, which is the culmination of a 15-year study, provides insights into the mechanisms of OCD and potential treatments.
Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology developed a new model of obsessive-compulsive disorder based on principles of reinforcement learning. The model suggests that imbalanced learning between reinforcement and punishment can lead to disordered behavior in OCD. This work helps explain how OCD develops and may be used t...
A new study found that college students reported a higher incidence of unacceptable thoughts and fear of contamination during the pandemic. The study also revealed consistent OCD symptoms across genders, adding to the growing research on mental illness among college students.
Researchers challenge long-held assumptions about human problem-solving abilities, revealing that many people fail to adapt a sophisticated strategy. A new study suggests that individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) tend to rely on an inefficient approach, even when faced with complex problems.
A large observational study found that children conceived through assisted reproductive techniques (ART) have generally good mental health throughout adolescence and young adulthood. However, those born after ART had a slightly elevated risk of obsessive-compulsive disorder, which was explained by parental background factors.
A team of researchers has recorded electrical signals in the human brain associated with ebbs and flows in OCD symptoms over an extended period. The study could lead to an emerging therapy called deep brain stimulation that adjusts to everyday changes in OCD symptoms, potentially providing more relief and fewer side effects for patients.
A NIH-funded study sheds light on the potential of long-term, at-home deep brain stimulation as a treatment for OCD. Researchers are using brain recordings from patients to identify neural signatures and related behaviors that predict symptom onset.
A new study led by scientists at Mount Sinai highlights the role of rare genomic differences in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) risk. The research found that about 10% of the risk for OCD is attributed to rare genomic variations, which were not seen in previous studies.
Researchers tested whether contaminating a fake rubber hand could help people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) overcome their contamination fears. The 'rubber hand illusion' technique showed promise in reducing disgust and anxiety levels, paving the way for new treatment options.
A new study has found that taking fluoxetine for 16 weeks did not significantly lower the frequency and severity of obsessive compulsive behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders. The research suggests that up to one-third of children with ASD are prescribed antidepressants despite inconclusive evidence of their effectiveness.
Researchers have found that deep transcranial magnetic stimulation can improve symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) by targeting specific brain areas. After six weeks of daily treatment, 38% of patients showed a significant reduction in symptom severity, with 45.2% responding after a month.
A study by Universitat Rovira i Virgili found that 16-18% of preadolescents have suicidal ideas, with a higher risk in boys. Factors such as depressive symptoms and anxiety in girls contributed to this risk. The research aims to help control and prevent suicidal ideation in preadolescents.
A new study published in Psychological Review reveals that forming good habits depends more on repetition than satisfaction. The research suggests that our brains tend to stick with repeated actions, even if they're no longer rewarding, and opens up a better understanding of conditions like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
A recent study from Binghamton University found that the general public struggles to differentiate between obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). Researchers analyzed phone interviews with hundreds of participants, revealing that those with higher education levels were more likely to r...
A study from Binghamton University found that individuals living in areas with lower sunlight exposure may have a higher risk of developing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The researchers suggest that reduced morning light exposure could disrupt the internal biology and external light-dark cycle, leading to increased OCD symptoms.
Patients with OCD have difficulty learning which stimulus is safe and vice versa due to impaired brain activity, specifically in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. This cognitive inflexibility affects how they perceive threats under updated circumstances, making current exposure therapies less effective.
A study of 2.4 million Swedish children found perinatal factors such as maternal smoking, breech birth, and preterm birth associated with a higher risk of developing OCD. The findings suggest an important role for environmental factors in the development of the disorder.
Researchers identified genetic pathways exacerbating severe canine compulsive disorder in Doberman pinschers, sharing behavioral hallmarks with human OCD. The discovery could lead to better therapies for obsessive compulsive disorder in people, as serotonin receptor genes and stress tolerance loci were found to be strongly correlated.
A prior OCD diagnosis is associated with an increased risk of developing schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum disorders later in life. The children of parents diagnosed with OCD also show a heightened risk of developing schizophrenia and related disorders.
A study from the University of Cambridge found that individuals with disorders of compulsivity share similar patterns of decision-making and brain structure. The researchers discovered lower grey matter volumes in brain regions involved in goal-tracking and rewards, leading to automatic habitual choices.
Researchers found that people with ADHD are impulsive risk-takers, while those with OCD are anxious about consequences, causing hesitancy in decision-making. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and well-being, as mistaking the two disorders can lead to wrong medication prescriptions.
A NIH-funded study reveals that hoarding disorder is associated with abnormal brain activity in areas processing error monitoring and weighing the value of possessions. Patients with hoarding disorder tend to over-activate these areas when deciding about their own possessions, but under-activate them when dealing with others' stuff.
A study by University of Granada researchers found that immigrant women in Spain experience great stress during childbirth, with disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder and depression common among them. The study also revealed differences in healthcare access and utilization between immigrant and Spanish women.
A special issue of Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology explores new treatments for pediatric-onset OCD and Tourette's disorder, including riluzole, a drug approved for ALS that shows promise in psychiatric conditions. Researchers propose identifying specific brain circuits as targets for new drug development.
A recent clinical trial has shown remarkable results for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), with 7 out of 10 participants experiencing a substantial reduction in symptoms after deep cerebral stimulation. The treatment, which involves targeting the subthalamic nucleus in the brain, offers a promising alternative to tradi...
A Yale researcher suggests that a competition between brain areas can explain why people forget tasks, such as dropping off dry cleaning. This 'dry cleaning effect' involves the interaction between the striatum and hippocampus, which may be relevant to understanding mental illnesses like obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Researchers at University of Cambridge discovered under-active brain regions associated with genetic risk for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to measure brain activity in patients with OCD and their family members, showing impaired function in areas controlling flexible behavior.
Researchers found a clear dissociation between OCD and Tourette's dimensions in terms of brain activity, working memory, and attention. This distinction could lead to improved diagnostic and treatment approaches for both conditions by prioritizing the identification and addressement of OCD symptoms.