Neurobiology of childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder

Despite the observation that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) frequently has its onset during childhood or adolescence, most studies have examined OCD in adults. Because pediatric OCD patients are near illness onset with l imited or no medication exposure, this population represents a unique windo w through which to view the neurobiology of OCD. In this article, the autho rs summarize data from existing studies of pediatric OCD and attempt to int erpret the data within the context of a neurobiologic discourse based large ly on research in adults. The authors review current neuroanatomic models o f OCD and examine neuroimaging and neuropsychologic studies designed to tes t those models. In addition, the authors examine irregularities of neurotra nsmitter systems thought to be involved in OCD.