Obsessive compulsive disorder proposal(2)

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The Effects of Glutamate Levels in an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Patient’s Brain Verónica L. Torres Torres RISE- Bridge Program Summer 2013

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Transcript of Obsessive compulsive disorder proposal(2)

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The Effects of Glutamate Levels in an Obsessive Compulsive

Disorder Patient’s Brain

Verónica L. Torres Torres

RISE- Bridge Program Summer 2013

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The Effects of Glutamate Levels in an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Patient’s

Brain

Throughout the course of the last few years, a relationship between the neurotransmitter, glutamate, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder has been established. It is believed that abnormal levels of glutamate may be associated to symptoms present in this disorder. By observing glutamate presence in different stages of the brain’s communication, we can detect if a fault in this neurotransmitter’s flow affects proper brain function, thus inducing this disorder.

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Background and Significance

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder which consists of two main symptoms:

•Obsessions:Intrusive and irrational thoughts, unwanted ideas

or impulses that repeatedly well up in a person's mind. These symptoms may lead the person to experience acute anxiety and fear. •Compulsions:

Repetitive rituals such as handwashing, counting, checking, hoarding, or arranging. An individual repeats these actions, perhaps feeling momentary relief, but without feeling satisfaction or a sense of completion. Although OCD patients acknowledge these tasks are illogical, they feel they must perform these compulsive rituals, or something bad will happen.

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Background and Significance

• According to the International OCD Foundation “about 1 in 100 adults – or between 2 to 3 million adults in the United States – currently have OCD.”

• This is roughly the same number of people living in the city of Houston, Texas. 

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Background and Significance

Different brain scans have shown multiple abnormalities in the structure and chemical levels of an OCD patients brain.These abnormalities are mainly present in the following parts:•Frontal Lobe: regulates thought in terms of both short-term and long-term decision making•Basal Ganglia: controls and sorts sensory information and does thought filtering

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Background and Significance

Typically, OCD is associated with a deficiency of the neurotransmitter serotonin and it is treated by administering selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), more commonly known as antidepressants. Although this treatment is effective in controlling serotonin levels, this effect is only temporary.

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Background and Significance

• Glutamate

Glutamate is responsible for the mediation or large quantities of information, as well as regulating brain development and information which determines cellular survival, differentiation and elimination as well as formation and elimination of nerve cells. Given its potential, concentration levels and proper current function is essential, for it can be very toxic as well.

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Hypothesis

Unbalanced glutamate levels, caused by faulty NMDA receptors in the basal ganglia, are responsible for an excess of unfiltered information flowing through the frontal cortex. Thus, this could be the cause behind intrusive thoughts, or obsessions, and uncontrollable urges, or compulsions. Furthermore, this may also be the reason behind the anxiety and fear that are characteristic of this disorder.

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Specific Aims

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Methods and Methodologies

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Methods and Methodologies

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The Future…

Whether the hypothesis results positive or negative, one thing is certain; this shall be a huge step in not just looking for the cause behind Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, but in creating awareness of it as well.

These are the key factors in assuring a bright future for those struck with this disorder.

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References• Bell J. (2012) International OCD Foundation.

(IOCDF). Retrieved from http://www.ocfoundation.org/

• ChemCruz Biochemicals (2007-2013) NMDA Inhibitors. Retrieved from http://www.scbt.com/chemicals- table nmda_inhibitors.html

• Duckworth K., Freedman J. (2012, April) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Retrieved from

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/ContentManagement/

ContentDi splay.cf m&ContentID=142546• National Institutes of Health (NIH) (2002) Public

Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Retrieved from http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/phsp ol.htm