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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 29, 2026

Signal Attenuation as a Rat Model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Signal Attenuation as a Rat Model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Published on: January 9, 2015

New treatment models for compulsive disorders.

Jon E Grant¹, Naomi Fineberg², Michael van Ameringen³

¹Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 3077, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.

European Neuropsychopharmacology : the Journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology

|December 2, 2015

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and related compulsive disorders require better treatments. Viewing OCD broadly as a compulsive disorder may lead to more effective psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and brain stimulation strategies.

Keywords:

Compulsivity Obsession Pharmacotherapy Psychotherapy

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Psychiatry
Clinical Psychology

Background:

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders like body dysmorphic disorder, tic disorder, and trichotillomania are prevalent and significantly impairing.
Current treatments for these conditions are insufficient, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

To review current knowledge on OCD and related disorders.
To propose a broader conceptualization of OCD as a compulsive disorder to enhance treatment efficacy.
To present emerging psychopharmacological, psychotherapeutic, and brain stimulation approaches.

Main Methods:

Literature review of existing research on OCD and related disorders.
Analysis of new models in psychopharmacology and psychotherapy.
Examination of novel brain stimulation techniques.

Main Results:

A unified framework of compulsive disorders may improve treatment outcomes.
Neuroscience-grounded advancements offer promising avenues for treatment response.
Integrated approaches combining medication, therapy, and brain stimulation show potential.

Conclusions:

Understanding OCD and related disorders through the lens of compulsivity can unlock more effective treatments.
Advances in neuroscience are crucial for developing next-generation therapies for disorders of compulsivity.
Future research should focus on integrating these novel strategies for improved patient outcomes.