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Science Obsessive-compulsive disorder now seen with brain scan
Science Obsessive-compulsive disorder now seen with brain scan | Obsessive-compulsive disorder now seen with brain scan |
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| by William Atkins | |
| Monday, 21 July 2008 | |
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Page 3 of 3 The scientists concluded that people with OCD and their close family members have low activity in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), which is located in the frontal lobes of the brain. It is responsible for decision making and behavior and, specifically, in stopping habitual behavior. Featured Whitepaper
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Science DiscussionsThe researchers concluded in their abstract: “We identified abnormally reduced activation of several cortical regions, including the lateral orbitofrontal cortex, during reversal learning in OCD patients and their clinically unaffected close relatives, supporting the existence of an underlying previously undiscovered endophenotype for this disorder.” Chamberlain added, “This study shows that these brain changes run in families, and represent a candidate vulnerability factor. The current diagnosis of OCD is subjective and improved understanding of the underlying causes of OCD could lead to more accurate diagnosis and improved clinical treatments. However, much work is still needed to identify the genes contributing to abnormal brain function in those at risk of OCD. We also need to investigate not only vulnerability factors, but also protective factors that account for why many people at genetic risk of the condition never go on to develop the symptoms." [News-Medical.Net: “Obsessive compulsive disorder linked to activity in lateral orbitofrontal cortex”] Currently, such scans would be a very expensive way to identify the condition, and would only probably be used as a secondary measure, if needed, to diagnosis OCD in a patient. The article “Orbitofrontal Dysfunction in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Their Unaffected Relatives” summarizes the conclusions of their study. It appears in the July 18, 2008 issue of the journal Science. Its authors are Samuel R. Chamberlain, Lara Menzies, Adam Hampshire, John Suckling, Naomi A. Fineberg, Natalia del Campo, Mike Aitken, Kevin Craig, Adrian M. Owen, Edward T. Bullmore, Trevor W. Robbins, and Barbara J. Sahakian. They are associated with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; National OCD Treatment Service, Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Welwyn Garden City UK; Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, UK; Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge UK; and Clinical Unit Cambridge, GlaxoSmithKline, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK. |
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