Neurotransmitter Imbalance in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Image Credit: The Indian Express
Individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) exhibit an imbalance in the neurotransmitters, the brain’s chemical messengers, specifically in the frontal regions responsible for maintaining a balance between excitation and inhibition. There are lot of problems occure due to imbalance in the neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters play a crucial role in transmitting electrical impulses and information across brain networks. Two key neurotransmitters involved in this balance are glutamate, which has an excitatory effect, and GABA, which has an inhibitory effect, regulating neural activity.
Research conducted by the University Of Cambridge (UK) revealed that individuals with OCD have a disrupted glutamate-GABA balance in two regions of the brain’s cerebral cortex. These regions are primarily responsible for determining the equilibrium between our conscious goals and automatic habits.
This imbalance suggests that in individuals with OCD, the brain’s frontal regions struggle to maintain the necessary balance between excitatory and inhibitory signals. This disruption in neurotransmitter levels may contribute to the development and manifestation of obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
Understanding the neurochemical imbalances associated with OCD can provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of the disorder. It opens avenues for further research to develop targeted interventions and treatments that aim to restore the disrupted balance of glutamate and GABA in the brain.
By addressing the disturbed neurotransmitter balance, researchers and clinicians hope to develop more effective therapeutic approaches for individuals living with OCD. Such interventions could help alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life for those affected by this mental health condition.
Re-reported from the story originally published in the Indian Express
