Psychogenetics of obsessive-compulsive disorder
There is evidence for a strong genetic component in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) but the underlying genetic mechanisms are not clearly understood. Associations have been reported for the low enzyme activity allele of the COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) gene and MAO-A (monoamine oxidase A), two enzymes involved in the neuronal metabolism of catecholamine transmitters, along with 5-HT1Dβ. MOG-4 (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-4), a glycoprotein found on the surface of myelinating oligodendrocytes and external lamellae of myelin sheaths, dopamine D4 receptor, and region q34–q35 on chromosome 4 have also been reported as candidate genes but their involvement, if any, in OCD has not yet been determined.
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References
J Clin Psychiatry 2002;63(Suppl. 6):30–33.
Obsessive compulsive disorder. Online Mendelian Inheritance in ManTM, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/dispomim.cgi?id=164230 Accessed on 21 January 2003.