The Genetics Of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder In Adults

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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a severe, heritable condition with a lifetime prevalence of about two percent of the population. The mode of inheritance is poorly understood but is likely complex, involving multiple loci of small to moderate effect. Our laboratory has been active in studies of OCD and of genetics for over 10 years, and in 2001 became one of the founding sites of a multi-center genetic study of OCD, led by Dr. Gerald Nestadt of Johns Hopkins University. This study was approved via a competitive NIMH extramural grant application (MH 502140). Due to the accumulation of evidence supportive of a genetic etiology of OCD, a series of association and linkage studies of candidate genes has been undertaken and reported in the literature, but only one, very small genome- wide scan of OCD has been reported. Our OCD genetic studies in the NIMH IRP contribute DNA and family evaluation data to this national multi-site, planned genome-wide study of OCD. Standardized diagnostic and other ascertainments are being used by all six sites within the OCD genetics consortium. It is anticipated that this consortium will add 300 new families with affected sib-pairs over the next three years. This sample will be used for linkage and association analyses. Genotypes and interview data will be shared within this consortium of investigators studying OCD and will eventually be shared with the scientific community following NIMH guidelines. In addition, exploratory analyses of DNA, clinical features and personality characteristics of OCD probands and of disorders related to OCD are being used to assess the candidacy status of gene variants and to better define the familial OCD phenotype. The NIMH-IRP OCD site has now enrolled and completely ascertained 541 individuals with OCD and family members (including 14 affected sibling pairs and their family members). Other families are in varying stages of completing the protocol requirements. An association between an uncommon (0.1%), functional serotonin transporter missense mutation and OCD and obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) was reported this year. Altered regulation and transport function of the mutated gene was observed. Continuation of this protocol will allow expansion of a sample of OCD probands, affected sibling pairs and their family members. This should add to the likelihood of identifying chromosomal regions and genes relevant to OCD and related neuropsychiatric disorders.