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This study will compare serotonin transporters in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and healthy volunteers in order to better understand the role of serotonin in OCD. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that transmits nerve impulses. The serotonin transporter (SERT) is a protein that regulates serotonin levels in the brain.
Normal, healthy volunteers and patients with OCD between 18 and 50 years of age and in overall good health may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened with a medical history, physical examination, blood and urine tests, and a psychological interview and tests related to OCD symptoms. Participants undergo the following tests:
Full description
Evidence suggests that the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) arise from dysfunction of both the serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmitter systems. These two neurotransmitter systems are presumed to play a key modulatory role at the limbic-motor interface of the fronto-subcortical circuitry. However, in vivo knowledge linking the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems to OCD and OCD-related disorders is limited. In the current protocol, we plan to use PET to image the serotonin transporter (SERT) within the new radioligand [11C]DASB, in order to delineate regional abnormalities in SERT binding in drug-naive or drug-free OCD patients in comparison to healthy volunteers. In addition, we plan to examine the relationship between the regional PET measures of SERT and clinical severity measures of OCD. The goal of the present study is, thus, to further our understanding of the role of the serotonergic system in the pathophysiology of OCD.
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Ages
Volunteers
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Patients and Controls:
Age: 18-65.
Patients- DSM-IV criteria for OCD.
Controls- not required
Patients and Controls:
Good health, with absence of serious medical illnesses, such as congestive heart failure, diabetes, kidney failure, epilepsy or cancer.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Healthy Subjects:
History or current DSM-IV Axis I diagnostic criteria.
Patients and Controls:
Current diagnosis of major depressive disorder.
Patients and Controls:
Psychotropic medications, including SSRIs and antipsychotic medications. Drug free period must be greater than 4 weeks.
Patients and Controls:
Claustrophobia
Patients and Controls:
Pregnancy. Women with child bearing potential.
Patients and Controls:
Prior participation in other research protocols within the past year such that a radiation exposure together with the present study would exceed the annual limits.
Patients and Controls:
Any condition that increases risk for MRI (e.g., pacemaker, metallic foreign body in the eye, etc.)
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Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov
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