14-05-2025
Study finds genes linked to OCD
Sabra Lane: Obsessive compulsive disorder can be debilitating but often goes untreated. Now a new global study has identified the genes linked with the condition. Researchers hope it'll lead to better treatments and diagnosis. Isabel Moussalli reports.
Isabel Moussalli : Dr Leigh Sheppard's earliest memory of her obsessive compulsive disorder was being asked to pick a balloon for her sick brother.
Leigh Sheppard : In my mind, if I chose the wrong balloon, my brother would die. And so I'm making these huge decisions in my mind, but also it's really illogical. Often it doesn't make sense.
Isabel Moussalli : But the now medical doctor didn't receive a diagnosis or treatment until she was 33. Her struggle in finding support led her to start the non-profit OCDWA.
Leigh Sheppard : At my worst, I was almost bedridden. I could barely function and through treatment I now function really well and it's meant that I can return to work.
Isabel Moussalli : And more people could soon receive the diagnosis and treatment they need. That's the hope of a large global group of scientists who've just published significant findings.
Eske Derks : This is the first time, the first large study where we found genes linked to OCD risk.
Isabel Moussalli : Professor Eske Dirks is a senior scientist at Medical Research Institute QIMR Berghofer and was involved in the decade-long project.
Eske Derks : We have access to data from 50,000 patients with OCD and 2 million people who don't have OCD. And then we looked at the genetic profiles and compared them and yeah, we found 250 genes that are increasing OCD risk and 25 of these are very likely to be causal.
Isabel Moussalli : She cautions it doesn't mean they're the only genes as larger studies are being conducted.
Eske Derks : But... It's very important findings I think for several reasons. Because we have a better understanding of the genes that are related to OCD, we can look at existing drugs that might be effective. The other important reason to do this research is that it's also the first step into being able to predict the risk for OCD.
Isabel Moussalli : Dr. Sheppard from OCDWA believes it'll be a landmark moment for her community.
Leigh Sheppard : Identifying the genes and brain regions that are involved in OCD confirms what clinicians and people with lived experience have long understood, which is that OCD is a complex neurobiological condition, not a personality trait or a behavioural choice.
Isabel Moussalli : Sane Australia's CEO, Rachel Green, also hopes it'll break down the stigma.
Rachel Green : OCD is a condition that carries with it some incredible stigma that actually prevents people from seeking help. It's not just wanting to keep your house really clean and it's important not to use it as a term in that sort of context. It can be a really debilitating condition for people who live with it and a very lonely and isolating experience, especially if they haven't yet been able to seek help.
Isabel Moussalli : And she says one place people can seek support is the Sane Australia website.
