"OCD
affects between 1 and 3-percent of the world's population,
which makes it more common than schizophrenia, bipolar
disorder or panic disorder..."
Gregory Hanna, M.D.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is
characterized by recurrent thoughts known
as "
" and ritualistic behaviors or "
" that are distressing and difficult to
control. People with OCD often recognize
that obsessions and compulsions do not make
sense, but are unable to stop them from
happening. Obsessions and compulsions may
take hours out of each day, and are usually
associated with marked anxiety. Recent research
has shown OCD to be a common psychiatric
disease, occurring in approximately 1 of
every 30 people. Because OCD usually has
its onset in childhood, it can lead to a
lifetime of disability if left untreated.
While OCD is classified as an anxiety disorder,
it commonly occurs with depression. Of the
approximately 6 million Americans with OCD,
up to 70% will experience depression at
some point during their lifetimes. Whether
the burden of having OCD predisposes to
depression, or whether the disorders share
common neurobiologic factors is unclear
at this time. Fortunately, the best known
treatments for OCD-
and cognitive behavioral
therapy (CBT) - are also often effective in treating depression.
However, even state-of-the art treatments
such as SRIs and CBT do not work for everyone
with OCD. Thus, researchers at the University
of Michigan are actively studying OCD in
order to understand its causes and, ultimately,
improve its treatment. Research in pediatric
OCD at the University of Michigan suggests
the early-onset form of the illness to be
highly associated with genetic factors.
This finding makes the screening of family
members - especially siblings of children
with OCD - an important part of diagnosis.
With early diagnosis and early treatment,
it is possible that OCD may be better controlled
and less likely contribute to depression
later in life.
Ongoing
research in OCD includes:
Study of a gene that regulates serotonin
(the chemical affected by SRIs) in families
with OCD. (G. Hanna)
Function magnetic resonance imaging
of patients with OCD to explore brain
regions that are involved in the disease.
(S. Taylor, G. Hanna)
Psychosurgery for patient with treatment-refractory
OCD (J. Abelson & R. Albucher)
The goal of such research is not only to
increase scientific understanding of OCD,
but to translate that understanding into
better treatments for patients who suffer
from the disease.
Last updated on:
Tuesday, 20-Feb-2007 14:08:08 EST
