Out, Out, Damn Spot; Obsessive Compulsiveness, as Old as Shakespeare

Out, damn spot, out I say, is an often misquoted famous speech from MacBeth. As we investigate Lady's MacBeth's behavior, and her need to continuously wash her hands to rid them of her guilt (i.e. blood stains) we quickly learn what obsessive-compulsive behavior is all about, at least with M' Lady.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder. If you have OCD, you have repeated, upsetting thoughts called obsessions. You do the same thing over and over again to try to make the thoughts go away. Those repeated actions are called compulsions.

Examples of obsessions are a fear of germs or a fear of being hurt. Compulsions include washing your hands, counting, checking on things or cleaning. Untreated, OCD can take over your life.

Researchers think brain circuits may not work properly in people who have OCD. It tends to run in families. The symptoms often begin in children or teens.

As many as 3 million Americans ages 18 to 54 may have OCD at any one time. This is about 2.3% of the people in this age group. OCD affects men and women equally.

Using genetic engineering, researchers have created an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) -- like set of behaviors in mice and reversed them with antidepressants and genetic targeting of a key brain circuit.

Researchers bred mice without a specific gene, and found defects in a brain circuit previously implicated in OCD. Much like people with a form of OCD, the mice engaged in compulsive grooming, which led to bald patches with open sores on their heads. They also exhibited anxiety-like behaviors. When the missing gene was reinserted into the circuit, both the behaviors and the defects were largely prevented.

The findings of this study have enormous potential, as this research is the first to link OCD with genetic issues. By changing the focus of how we currently view OCD a cure (or at least better control) may be found.