Stony Brook researchers identify new brain circuit linked to OCD

Researchers at Stony Brook University have identified a previously unknown brain circuit that may play a role in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The study, published in the journal Neuron, utilized a mouse model to map functional brain circuits at the single synapse level.

The research team discovered a direct connection between the amygdala, which processes emotional experiences like fear and anxiety, and the dorsolateral striatum (DLS), a region associated with habitual and automatic behaviors. Although the connection originates from only a small number of amygdala neurons, findings suggest it has an outsized influence over the DLS by amplifying and promoting synaptic plasticity of other inputs.

This discovery could potentially lead to new medical treatments that target specific brain regions to better manage the distressing thoughts and repetitive behaviors characteristic of OCD.