Genes associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder, identified by a team of Australian researchers

A team of researchers in Australia has identified a number of genes associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), providing new hopes for improving the diagnosis and treatment of this debilitating mental condition.

Many people suffer from obsessive -compulsive disorders – shutterstock

Researchers at Qimr Berghofer, the former Queensland medical research Institute, analyzed DNA from over 50,000 people with OCD and 2 million who have not been diagnosed with this disorder. They discovered 30 regions of the human genome and about 250 genes associated with OCD, the institute said on Tuesday, writes Agerpres.

“We have been working on this for many years, but these discoveries have dramatically increased our knowledge about the genetic basis of the OCD.” said researcher Eske Derks, head of the translational neurogenetic laboratory from Qimr Berghofer.

The identified genes are especially active in the hippocampus, striatum and cerebral cortex, areas of the brain already associated with OCD in previous neurological studies, according to this research published in Nature Genetics.

The discoveries also showed a significant genetic overlap with anxiety, depression, anorexia and other diet disorders, further highlighting the complexity of the OCD, the statement said.

OCD, which affects about 500,000 Australians, presents symptoms that vary from cleanliness or verification compulsively to fears related to the challenge of damages, inappropriate thoughts or obsessive doubts about relationships and responsibilities, the statement said.

“It does not only affect the individual, but also the family, because everyone is trying to adapt to the OCD.” said Emily O’Leary, a clinician psychologist, adding that people with this disorder are often trapped in the trap of a constant fear of doing something wrong or to hurt their loved ones.

The study could accelerate the diagnosis and could lead to a better directed treatment, such as analyzing how existing drugs used for other conditions could help in OCD treatment, researchers said.