The Neurobiology of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent intrusive thoughts and repetitive ritualistic actions. Although symptoms have long been considered symbolic expressions of unconscious issues, recent neuroscientific research has increasingly strengthened a conceptualization of OCD as a neuropsychiatric disorder. Thus, significant advances have been made in understanding both the neurochemical and the neuroanatomical underpinnings of OCD. Ongoing research of particular interest includes investigation of the neuroethology, neuroimmunology, and genetics of OCD. From a clinical perspective, research on OCD has resulted in increased recognition and more effective treatment of the condition, and has shed light on a range of other disorders with overlapping phenomenology. Of even broader interest, the study of OCD allows new insights on general questions in the study of brain-mind interrelationships. NEUROSCIENTIST 2:300-305, 1996