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Genetic findings in obsessive-compulsive disorder connect to brain-derived neutrophic factor and mammalian target of

Marco Grados1, Hyung Mo Sung, Sejin Kim

  • 1Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St.-12th floor, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.

Drug Development Research
|September 9, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Genetic findings suggest glutamate and developmental pathways, not just serotonin, are key in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This research highlights neuroprotective strategies targeting BDNF-mTOR pathways for future OCD pharmaceutical development.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Current obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) treatments primarily target serotonergic and dopaminergic systems.
  • Emerging genetic epidemiology data implicates glutamate pathways and developmental genes in OCD etiology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent genetic findings in OCD.
  • To identify neuroprotective pathways using bioinformatics approaches.
  • To explore novel therapeutic targets for OCD.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of genetic findings in OCD.
  • Bioinformatics analysis to identify relevant neuroprotective pathways.
  • Examination of gene-pathway interactions.

Main Results:

  • OCD susceptibility genes (DLGAP1, RYR3, PBX1-MEIS2, LMX1A) and candidate genes (BDNF, GRIN2B) are linked to neuronal growth, differentiation, and neurogenesis pathways (BDNF-mTOR).
  • These pathways represent a promising area for neuroprotective pharmaceutical development.
  • Genetic data supports new avenues for pharmacological discovery in OCD.

Conclusions:

  • Glutamate-mediated BDNF-mTOR pathways are implicated by OCD susceptibility genes.
  • Neuroprotective strategies focusing on these pathways offer a novel therapeutic approach for OCD.
  • Genetic insights are crucial for advancing OCD pharmacotherapy.
Keywords:
FKBP12GRM5brain-derived neutrophic factor (BDNF)mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

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