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Nature 448, 871-872 (23 August 2007) | doi:10.1038/448871a; Published online 22 August 2007

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Neuroscience: Obsessed with grooming

Steven E. Hyman1

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Roughly 2% of humans suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder, but a lack of animal models has impeded research into this condition. Could a genetically engineered mouse model provide an exciting lead?

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of a spectrum of disorders characterized by obsessions (intrusive, unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (ritualized behaviours intended to overcome the anxiety and tension resulting from the obsessions). Other similar conditions include Tourette's syndrome; sufferers with this disorder show several motor, and occasionally vocal, tics, often accompanied by obsessions and compulsions.

  1. Steven E. Hyman is in the Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
    Email: seh@harvard.edu

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