Rutgers University study identifies 36 genes linked to OCD and Tourette syndrome

Researchers have identified 36 genes that significantly increase the risk of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and chronic tic disorders, such as Tourette syndrome. The study, published in Nature Neuroscience and coordinated by scientists at Rutgers University, expands upon previous findings that had only identified four high-certainty genes associated with these conditions.

The analysis involved genetic data from nearly 4,000 individuals, including over 2,400 parent-child pairs. Of the 36 genes identified, 30 are present in both OCD and tic disorder cases, providing a biological explanation for why these conditions frequently co-occur. Specifically, approximately half of people with tic disorders exhibit obsessive-compulsive behaviors, while up to 30% of those with OCD have a history of tics.

By comparing genetic data with brain maps from humans, rhesus monkeys, and mice, researchers found that these disorders are linked to malfunctions in the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuit. This neural network is responsible for impulse control, movement, habit formation, and information processing. The risk-associated genes showed high expression levels in brain regions such as the cortex, striatum, and thalamus during both prenatal and postnatal periods.