The new year starts with a bang in research on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, as Science Advances publishes a new paper showing genetic commonalities in patients with OCD.
The study recruited 53 families in whom the parents weren’t diagnosed with OCD, but had at least one child who was.
Researchers then conducted whole-genome tissue sampling on the parents and children, and the genetic evidence confirmed the diagnoses.
The parents didn’t show genetic evidence of OCD, but their children did.
Every child diagnosed with OCD in the study showed the same four de novo mutations (‘genetic alterations that are present for the first time in one family member as a result of a variant (or mutation) in a germ cell (egg or sperm) of one of the patients, or a variant that arises in the fertilized egg itself during early embryogenesis”).
Co-author Dr. Weichen Song says, “These mutations are highly relevant to OCD pathology,” and all are related to chromatin loops.
How might this lead to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
Elana Spivack explains:
These are all protein-coding genes, so if there’s an anomaly with chromatin binding, then this gene can’t properly transcribe proteins. While it’s important to note how mutations can alter how proteins are transcribed, this study also underscores the importance of chromatin modification as a potential cause of OCD.
This buttresses what’s been called the “de novo paradigm hypothesis” as a risk factor for OCD development.
In other words, the theory that rare genetic mutations might tip someone towards OCD.
Now here’s something else interesting.
Those genes are also associated with depression, anorexia, and anxiety.
Of course, that doesn’t mean someone with those genes will develop all those disorders, only that it can leave them more susceptible to them.
If you want to read more, I’d recommend Spivack’s more complete rundown, along with Bob Yirka’s over at Medical Express, and a really excellent one from Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.
Of course, these de novo mutations are only part of the picture, and there are numerous environmental factors that have also been linked to OCD.
But there are a few reasons to be excited about this study.
First, it advances our knowledge of the condition, and can lead to even more breakthroughs.
Second, potentially, scientists could help develop new drugs that target these genes. God bless whoever comes up with a drug to help us.
Third, it underscores to the Christian church (once again) that OCD isn’t in any way, shape, or form a spiritual defect or failure to trust God.
God made and knows us more intimately than we do.
When he sees Uber “Trusting” Christian #1 and Obsessively Ruminating Christian #2, he probably knows about genetic mutations, no? Along with all the other risk factors for developing OCD — none of which has a spiritual basis.
Here’s another thought.
In this particular study, none of the parents had OCD, but the children did.
Would one of the parents look at the study results, then blame the child for their OCD and tell them to just get over ruminating?
Not at all!
Similarly, we shouldn’t and can’t cast any judgment on someone with OCD.
It’s not a faith or trust issue.
And going down a path of judgment is an exercise in the self-righteous sin that Jesus warned about.
I know pastors and spiritual leaders have the best intentions when they apply scripture to those prone to obsessive rumination, but the most loving possible thing is to first refer someone with OCD to a psychiatrist and therapist.
Of course, spirituality and scripture can always be integrated in any treatment, but medical conditions tend to respond to medical treatment.
And if you have OCD (like myself), I hope studies like this give you some comfort. We are unusually hard on ourselves, aren’t we.
But it’s simply not our fault. Someone with OCD can no more be blamed for his condition than someone born with a genetic abnormality that leads to blindness.
But there’s always help for anyone with OCD.
And the best places to start…
Find a psychiatrist here.
Find a therapist here.
[Photo: Pexels, free stock photography, Rodnae Productions]
