Queensland researchers at QIMR Berghofer find probable cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder can manifest in many ways.

For Peter Bell, a business consultant in Brisbane, it’s near-constant and debilitating handwashing.

“I have a lot of thoughts about germs and deadly diseases,” Bell said.

“This manifests itself in the obligation to wash your hands.

“Like any mental illness, it had a huge impact on my life. It’s a real brain disease.”

Mr Bell is one of around 2% of the Australian population who suffer from the disorder, commonly known as OCD, which is characterized by recurrent and intrusive thoughts.

Many people with the condition spend an inordinate amount of time engaging in repetitive actions or behaviors to try to alleviate their anxiety.

A potential cause found

The exact causes of OCD are not known, it is incurable, and treatments are limited.

QIMR Berghofer researchers are trying to change that.

A new study, which looked at the difference in MRI brain images between healthy volunteers and people with OCD, found a likely cause.

The researchers discovered changes in the way different regions of the brain communicate.

Lead researcher Dr Sébastien Naze said the findings confirmed the disorder likely emerged from a “complex imbalance” that affects “signaling pathways deep within the brain”.

“Participants with OCD have been shown to have an imbalance affecting distinct pathways and regions of the brain, which are related to emotion regulation and reward,” Dr. Naze said.

“We’re not the first researchers to find it but…it gives us important clues about what’s causing the disease and how these brain changes could be corrected to reduce symptoms of OCD,” he said. .

“An absolute game changer”

QIMR Berghofer lead researcher Luca Cocchi called the results important, saying they would “guide the development” of more targeted and effective treatments.

“These results are significant because they replicate previous findings…they allow us to develop new interventions that target this dysfunction in a precise and individualized way…and reduce symptoms,” said Dr. Cocchi.

“Current drug interventions lack specificity and only significantly reduce symptoms in a fraction of people with OCD.”

Researchers will use results from clinical trials of brain stimulation therapies for OCD later this year.

“This will allow us to specifically target the structure and pattern of connectivity between different regions to restore or provide a healthy level of communication,” said Dr. Cocchi.

“Brain stimulation has been shown to be effective in treating depression, so hopefully it can help with OCD.”

“It’s not going to cure the disorder, but it could potentially reduce symptoms as people can enjoy a relatively normal life,” he said.

Mr Bell said the results of the study were a “huge relief”.

“It’s an absolute game-changer for someone who has gone through life blaming themselves for their obsessive-compulsive disorder,” Bell said.

“To be able to see that it’s actually a function of the brain and a chemical imbalance…it’s an absolute huge relief.”