OBJECTIVE: The obsessive compulsive-disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions. Its prevalence is of approximately 2%-3% in the general population. In the last years, genes of the serotoninergic and dopaminergic systems have been investigated as these neurotransmitters are probably involved in the pathophysiology of the OCD. This article aims at revising the results of studies of association between candidate genes and OCD. METHODS: Review of the literature in the Medline database until August of 2006, using the key words: obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD and/or gene(s), polymorphism(s), genetics. RESULTS: A series of studies presented negative results when comparing OCD patients and controls. Nevertheless, positive results have been observed, when studying among OCD patients, distinct clinical features (gender, age of beginning, dimension and/or severity of the obsessive and/or compulsive symptoms, presence of tics). CONCLUSION: For the advance of genetic studies in OCD, it would be necessary to identify homogeneous subgroups of OCD patients. Based on these subgroups, it may be possible to define reliable endophenotypes that could lead to a more rational search for genes possibly involved in OCD pathogenesis.
obsessive-compulsive disorder; genes; polymorphism
