The Role of Epigenetics in the Pathogenesis and Potential Treatment of Obsessive-compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a common neuropsychiatric disorder that markedly affects the quality of life of affected patients. There is increasing evidence that abnormal epigenetic mechanisms of gene expression are involved in the pathogenesis of this disorder. This article reviews the available data on epigenetic abnormalities found in patients with this disorder. The article also reviews the data on the use of epigenetic therapy in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, and epigenetic changes noted during psychotherapy of patients with this disorder. More detailed knowledge of the role of abnormal epigenetic mechanisms underlying obsessive-compulsive disorder could facilitate the development of new drugs for treating this disorder and the development of biomarkers for this disorder.