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OCD

This shows the outline of a person and neurons.

·May 19, 2025·4 min read

Inflammation Triggers Repetitive Behaviors in ASD and OCD

New research reveals that chronic brain inflammation can directly lead to repetitive behaviors, often seen in conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In mice with a mutated NLRP3 gene, inflammation activated microglia to release IL-1β, overstimulating NMDA glutamate receptors responsible for excitatory brain signals.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 12, 2025·5 min read

Why OCD, Tics, and ADHD Keep You Up at Night

People with obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders (OCSDs), chronic tic disorders (CTDs), and ADHD often suffer from significant sleep disturbances, and a new review suggests that disruptions in the cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) pathway may be the reason why. The review highlights how dopamine and GABA dysregulation in CSTC circuitry contributes to both poor sleep and the disorders themselves, suggesting a bidirectional and additive relationship.

This shows a model of a head and neurons.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 13, 2024·8 min read

Neural Biomarker for OCD Identified

Researchers discovered a neural activity pattern that can accurately predict and monitor the clinical status of OCD patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS). The study highlights how this biomarker can guide DBS therapy, improving treatment outcomes for those with severe, treatment-resistant OCD.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·March 4, 2024·4 min read

Astrocytes Play Critical Role in Regulating Behavior

Researchers made a groundbreaking discovery in identifying a unique group of astrocytes, located in the brain's central striatum, that play a crucial role in regulating behaviors linked to neuropsychiatric disorders. This distinct subset of astrocytes expresses the gene Crym, coding for μ-crystallin, a protein associated with various human diseases.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 18, 2024·6 min read

OCD Linked to Higher Mortality Risks

A new study highlights a concerning link between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and an increased risk of death from both natural and unnatural causes. The study, using data from over 60,000 people with OCD, shows an 82% higher overall mortality risk compared to those without the disorder.

This shows a person washing their hands.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 29, 2023·4 min read

Reshaping the OCD Brain: How Therapy Alters Neural Connectivity

A new study reveals that exposure and response prevention (EX/RP), a primary therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), effectively reshapes brain connectivity. This therapy enhances cognitive control by strengthening connections within key neural networks. Using advanced MRI techniques, researchers observed significant changes in the frontoparietal, cingulo-opercular, and default mode networks among OCD patients who underwent EX/RP compared to those who received stress management training.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 27, 2023·6 min read

Brain Chemical Imbalance Detected in OCD

Researchers discovered a neurochemical imbalance in the brains of patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy, they found a disrupted balance between neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA in two specific regions of the frontal lobes.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 5, 2023·6 min read

Microglia’s Role in Controlling Anxiety and OCD

A new study reveals how microglia can regulate anxiety and obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder (OCSD) behaviors. Traditionally overlooked in favor of neurons, specific microglia populations were found to both stimulate and suppress these behaviors, thus acting as both a "brake" and "accelerator".

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 17, 2023·4 min read

No Magic Number for Time It Takes to Form Habits

The speed of habit formation differs according to the behavior in question and several other factors.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 12, 2023·5 min read

The Brain’s Support Cells May Play a Key Role in OCD

A newly discovered cellular mechanism that involves astrocytes, as well as neurons, appears to be involved in repetitive behaviors and OCD.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 14, 2023·3 min read

Learning Behavior Differs Between OCD and Problem Gambling

When the reward is less than expected, people with OCD exhibit lower-than-normal learning rates. Conversely, those with gambling addictions exhibit boosted and blunted patterns of learning when the rewards are higher and lower than expected.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 12, 2023·5 min read

Research Points to Drug Option for Hair-Pulling and Skin-Picking Disorders

Memantine, a drug commonly prescribed to treat symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, reduces symptoms for adults with hair-pulling and skin-picking disorders.

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OCD

Inflammation Triggers Repetitive Behaviors in ASD and OCD

Why OCD, Tics, and ADHD Keep You Up at Night

Neural Biomarker for OCD Identified

Astrocytes Play Critical Role in Regulating Behavior

OCD Linked to Higher Mortality Risks

Reshaping the OCD Brain: How Therapy Alters Neural Connectivity

Brain Chemical Imbalance Detected in OCD

Microglia’s Role in Controlling Anxiety and OCD

No Magic Number for Time It Takes to Form Habits

The Brain’s Support Cells May Play a Key Role in OCD

Learning Behavior Differs Between OCD and Problem Gambling

Research Points to Drug Option for Hair-Pulling and Skin-Picking Disorders

AI Chip Mimicking Brain’s Reflex Center Developed

Study Overturns Decades of External Axon Growth Theory

Study Shatters Assumptions About Brain Connectome Dynamics

Earliest Evidence of Right-Handedness Found

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