Neurobiological Mechanisms in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Summary
Within OCD, pathological obsessions and compulsions emerge from aberrant interactions in the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuitry, where dysfunction in the orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate and basal ganglia disrupts habitual behaviour and anxiety regulation. Neurotransmitter imbalances, particularly in serotonergic, dopaminergic and glutamatergic pathways, underpin altered synaptic plasticity and neural network excitability. Genetic studies implicate polymorphisms in genes related to synaptic maintenance, neurotrophic support and glutamate transport, while epigenetic modifications may modulate gene expression in response to stress and treatment. Neuroimaging investigations consistently reveal hyperactivity in fronto-striatal loops and altered white-matter integrity, correlating with symptom severity and treatment response. At a cellular level, deficits in neurotrophic factors compromise neuronal resilience, whereas neuroinflammatory markers suggest immune dysregulation contributes to symptom exacerbation. Translational models in rodents have elucidated glutamate receptor contributions and informed the development of novel pharmacological agents targeting N-methyl-D-aspartate and metabotropic glutamate receptors. Clinically, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors remain first-line, yet neuromodulation techniques such as deep brain stimulation and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation are gaining traction for refractory cases. Understanding these convergent mechanisms offers pathways to precision interventions and biomarker-guided diagnostics, with broad relevance for global mental health and therapy optimisation.
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Neurobiological Mechanisms in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in neurobiological mechanisms in obsessive-compulsive disorder across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuit: A neural loop involving the cortex, striatum, thalamus and back to cortex, critical for habit formation and decision-making.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF): A protein that supports neuron survival, synaptic growth and plasticity.
Dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH): An enzyme converting dopamine to noradrenaline, involved in adrenergic signalling.
Malondialdehyde (MDA): A marker of lipid peroxidation used to assess oxidative stress.
Synaptic plasticity: The capacity of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time, underpinning learning and memory.
References
- Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) protein levels in anxiety disorders: systematic review and meta-regression analysis. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience (2013).
- Potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for obsessive compulsive disorder: Evidences from clinical studies. Biochemia Medica (2023).
- Serum Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in a Japanese Population. Open Journal of Psychiatry (2021).
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