Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Causes & Prevention

What Does It Mean When Medical Experts Say "Race" Is A Risk Factor For Certain Diseases?

Editor's Note:

"Race" is sometimes mentioned as a risk factor in the development of certain cancers and a number of other diseases. When you read this in a discussion about an illness, note that the explanation seldom refers to anything biological. Instead, it usually refers to behavior, such as eating habits. The kinds of behavior usually mentioned as risk factors are culturally determined. They are not genetic or biological.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) May Have Genetic Basis

New research published online June 6 in the journal Molecular Psychiatry reports on a study described as the first whole-genome scan to look for genetic "markers" or similarities in the genomes of people with OCD. The results identified six potentially significant regions in the genome, which lie on five different chromosomes that appear "linked" to OCD. The researchers conclude that any genes directly associated OCD are likely to be found in these regions.