OCD Genetics is a study at Karolinska Institutet that have gathered DNA from people with ongoing or previous obsessive-compulsive disorder, dysmorphophobia, tics, Tourette syndrome, olfactory reference syndrome, trichotillomania, dermatillomania and hoarding syndrome. The study is a collaboration with several clinics specialized in these conditions.
The overarching aim of this study is to examine associations between the development of the abovementioned syndromes and genetics. We already know that hereditary factors, together with environmental factors, play an important role, but which specific genes that are involved is yet unknown. Similar studies on other disordershave yielded a great number of such genetic variations.
Except for increasing knowledge about the aetiology of these disorders, we also want to investigate if there is an association between genetic variation and individual characteristics, for example which symptoms are expressed and eventual symptom changed relative to CBT and pharmacological treatment. Our goal is therefore to increase the understanding of which individuals are helped by what treatment(s) and in the long term contribute to better treatment and care for individuals with these conditions.
The participants have contributed saliva- and a blood samples. From this, DNA is extracted. Apart from DNA, we also collect clinical data such as treatment outcome, other diagnoses, when the problems started et cetera. All such information is de-identified.
Principal investigator is Professor Christian Rück. He leads the study together with Professor David Mataix-Cols.
Group members involved in the project


