Obsessive-compulsive disorder: a new risk factor for Alzheimer disease?

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Genetics
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by obsessions and compulsions.

Observation:

• A 75-year-old woman presented with cognitive decline and behavioral changes, diagnosed with Alzheimer disease.
• She had a significant personal and family history of severe obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Findings:

• Clinical, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging data supported an Alzheimer disease diagnosis.
• This case represents the first family study suggesting a potential association between Alzheimer disease and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Implications:

• The findings suggest a possible shared pathophysiology between OCD and AD, potentially involving glutamatergic dysfunction.
• Further research into this association could offer new insights into neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.