Animal behavior as a conceptual framework for the study of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder: Insights from animal models

“…The present review considered the use and utility of animal models in research on mechanisms underlying the psychiatric disorder, OCD. This review was not intended to summarize the growing area of research using animal models of OCD, as a number of such first-rate publications already exists (Ahmari, 2015; Ahmari and Dougherty, 2015; Albelda and Joel, 2012a,b; Alonso et al, 2015; Boulougouris et al, 2009; Camilla d’Angelo et al, 2014; Diniz et al, 2012; Eilam and Szechtman, 2005b; Eilam et al, 2012; Grados et al, 2015; Gunaydin and Kreitzer, 2016; Hoffman, 2011; Joel, 2006a; Korff and Harvey, 2006; Man et al, 2004; Ting and Feng, 2011b; Wang et al, 2009; Westenberg et al, 2007). Instead, the current synthesis is unique in that it brings together several independent investigators to highlight a few features of their research where animal models serve as exemplars of fruitful questions and areas of investigation into OCD.…”

“…Moreover, in the controls there were more common than idiosyncratic acts, whereas in the OCD patients it was the opposite: more idiosyncratic than common acts. (Based on data from Eilam et al (2012). …”

From an animal model to human patients: An example of a translational study on obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

“…Indeed, it was found that while 81% of the 504 act types in the repertoire of control individuals were performed only once, only 44% of the 1035 act types in OCD patients' repertoire were performed only once. The remaining act types (56% in OCD and 19% in controls) were performed repeatedly (twice or more; 1 (2) = 51.3; p < 0.001; Eilam et al, 2012). Altogether, compared with normal performance of the same motor tasks, OCD rituals are longer in duration, comprise a greater repertoire of idiosyncratic (unnecessary) acts, and significantly more repetitions of both idiosyncratic and common acts.…”

The Impact of Precaution and Practice on the Performance of a Risky Motor Task

“…The usual response to potential threat perception is anxiety, an affective state of apprehension, tension, distress, or uneasiness of mind about uncertain outcomes. Anxious humans and other animals may perform routine actions at a slower pace, invest greater cognitive resources (attention) in performance, and monitor more closely the effects of each act [2,3]. For example, vigilant scanning, which is alertness or readiness to detect events that could be of serious concern to an animal and its companions [4], has been described in a wide range of animals (e.g., ostriches: [5]; and antelopes: [6]).…”