Publication date: Sep 08, 2026
A recent study, published in Nature Neuroscience, identified 36 genes substantially increasing the risk of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and chronic tic disorders (CTDs), a significant expansion from the previous four “high-confidence” genes. Researchers analyzed exome data from nearly 4,000 individuals with OCD, CTD, or both, revealing substantial genetic overlap between the conditions and highlighting a shared cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuit involved in impulse control, movement, and habit formation. Gene expression was observed across key brain regions including the cortex, striatum, and thalamus, with increased activity also detected in the cerebellum. The findings demonstrate a complex interplay of genes and neural pathways, offering potential targets for therapeutic interventions and significantly increasing the opportunities for developing tailored treatments for neurodevelopmental disorders.
| Concepts | Keywords |
|---|---|
| 2026the | Autism |
| Geneticists | Brain |
| Macaques | Conditions |
| Neurodevelopmental | Ctd |
| Td | Disorder |
| Disorders | |
| Genetic | |
| Individuals | |
| Nature | |
| Neural | |
| Neuroscience | |
| Ocd | |
| Percent | |
| Regions | |
| Risk |
Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| drug | DRUGBANK | Nonoxynol-9 |
| disease | MESH | congenital heart disease |
| disease | MESH | autism spectrum disorder |
| disease | MESH | neurodevelopmental disorders |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Isoxaflutole |
| disease | MESH | Autism |
| disease | MESH | Tourette Syndrome |
| disease | MESH | OCD |
| disease | MESH | tics |
| disease | MESH | included |
| disease | MESH | schizophrenia |
| disease | MESH | tic disorders |
| disease | MESH | Bipolar Disorder |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Pentaerythritol tetranitrate |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Tropicamide |