Getting closer to the cause of PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections)
Antibodies to strep throat bacteria linked to obsessive compulsive disorder in mice
…support the view that this condition is a distinct disorder, and represent a key advance in tracing the path leading from an ordinary infection in childhood to the surfacing of a psychiatric syndrome
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Linked To Brain Activity
The scientists have discovered that people with OCD and their close family members show under-activation of brain areas responsible for stopping habitual behaviour. This is the first time that scientists have associated functional changes in the brain with familial risk for the disorder.
Interesting. It could lead to earlier diagnosis-like before it gets really bad. That would be a good thing. A very good thing.
DIRT provides hope for OCD hand washers
16 June 2008
A new treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) pioneered at the University of Sydney is having great success by targeting the beliefs behind the obsessive behaviour rather than the behaviour itself.
Now this is interesting. The OCD I live with has, so far, proven to be uh, treatment resistant. So I am always looking for new forms of treatment. And this sounds promising. … Read The Rest >>
“Our study results,” Dr. Saito told Reuters Health, “support the widely held view that the orbital prefrontal region is involved in the pathophysiology of OCD. It is important that the results also indicate that the OFC (orbitofrontal circuit) influences symptom severity in patients with OCD.”
More evidence that it really is, “all … Read The Rest >>
This is really interesting. It points to something not working correctly that had not been suspected in OCD before. And it was apparently serendipitous as well.
Gene Triggers Obsessive Compulsive Disorder-Like Syndrome in Mice: Study Suggests New Treatment Targets: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Using genetic engineering, researchers have created an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) - like set of behaviors in mice and reversed them with antidepressants and genetic targeting of a … Read The Rest >>
