Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects approximately 1% of the population and has a strong genetic component. This study combined data from 53,660 OCD cases and 2,044,417 controls of European ancestry, identifying 30 genetic markers strongly associated with OCD and finding that genetic factors explain 6.7% of the risk. Separate analyses for different sub-groups of OCD, such as clinical, biobank, comorbid, and self-report cases, showed consistent results. Researchers identified 249 candidate risk genes for OCD, with 25 being potential causal genes, including WDR6, DALRD3, CTNND1, and several genes in the MHC region. Specific brain neurons, such as those in the hippocampus and cortex, and medium spiny neurons with D1- and D2-type dopamine receptors, were implicated in OCD risk. Significant genetic correlations were found between OCD and 65 other traits, particularly psychiatric conditions like anxiety, depression, anorexia nervosa, and Tourette syndrome, while negative correlations were observed with some autoimmune disorders, educational attainment, and body mass index. This study enhances the understanding of the genetic factors in OCD and supports future treatment developments.
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