Obsessive-compulsive disorder was associated with inflammation in the brain

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by the manifestations of involuntary obsessive thoughts (obsessions) and attempts to get rid of them through compulsive actions (compulsions). As it turns out the people with OCD have the increased level of inflammation in the brain. This was revealed by scientists from Canada.

Two groups of volunteers were involved in the study. The first group included 20 people with OCD, and the second one - 20 volunteers without OCD. The study has shown that the inflammation levels in 6 brain regions associated with OCD participants were increased by 32% in the first group, UPI.com reports.

The scientists hope that their discovery will lead to the development of new medicines for OCD. Today’s drugs do not help almost a third of patients with such disorder. In addition, experts suggest that OCD may be treated with drugs that are currently used to reduce the level of inflammation in the brain caused by other disorders.

Source: UPI.com