Researchers identify 36 risk genes for OCD and chronic tic disorders

Researchers using whole exome sequencing (WES) have identified 36 high-confidence genes associated with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and chronic tic disorders (CTD), including Tourette disorder. The study, involving DNA analysis from nearly 4,000 individuals, reveals a significant genetic overlap between the two conditions, with 83% of the identified genes showing associations with both disorders.

This discovery expands the known catalog of risk genes, which previously included only a few high-confidence markers. The findings suggest biological connections to autism and schizophrenia and highlight brain circuits responsible for impulse control, movement, and habit formation. Experts note that identifying over 30 new targets provides the pharmaceutical industry with significantly more opportunities to develop novel treatments by targeting underlying genetic and signaling networks rather than just managing symptoms.