THE ROLE OF CENTRAL OXYTOCIN IN OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER AND RELATED NORMAL BEHAVIOR

Oxytocin (OT) is a neurosecretory nonapeptide synthesized in hypothala mic cells, which project to widely distributed sites in the CNS as wel l as the neurohypophysis. Central OT affects a variety of cognitive, g rooming, affiliative, sexual, and reproductive behaviors in animals. O bsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) includes a range of cognitive and b ehavioral symptoms that bear some relationship to dimensions of behavi or associated with OT. Anecdotal data and a recently completed cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) study provide evidence that some forms of OCD are r elated to OT dysfunction. Based on these findings, we hypothesize: 1) that some forms of OCD are at the extreme end of a range of normal beh avior that are mediated by OT and related systems; and that 2) some no rmal cognitive, affiliative, and sexual behaviors contain elements tha t are similar to features of OCD. Alternative hypotheses are considere d, and a series of predictions are presented concerning the relationsh ip between central OT and the onset, course, treatment response, and r esponse to challenge procedures seen in this form of OCD.