Brain imaging in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:To review progress in understanding pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The focus is on the frontal-striatal-thalamic model of OCD, neurobiological and genetic studies of the disorder, and their influence on recent advances in treatment. METHOD:Computerized literature searches were conducted with the key words "obsessive-compulsive disorder" in conjunction with "pediatric," "genetics," and "imaging." RESULTS:Neuroimaging studies find evidence to support the frontal-striatal-thalamic model. Genetic and neurochemical studies also implicate glutamate in the pathological finding of OCD. This has led to the application of glutamate-modulating agents to treat OCD. CONCLUSIONS:Studies of pediatric OCD have led to a refined frontal-striatal-thalamic model of pathogenesis and are having an evidence-based impact on treatment. Despite this progress, fully explanatory models are still needed that would allow for accurate prognosis and the development of targeted and efficacious treatments.

SUBMITTER: MacMaster FP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2696312 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature