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Media Release:

15 June 2006
Oestrogen linked to Obsessived Compulsive Disorder

Scientists at Prince Henry’s Institute, a leading Australian Institute in hormone research, have discovered that lack of oestrogen is linked to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in male mice.

”This is a significant finding as it shows that hormones play an important role in the development of OCD in males. This could play a significant role in the treatment and relief of the disorder,” said Dr Wah Chin Boon, a senior researcher involved in the study.

One in 40 people worldwide are affected by OCD and the exact cause is unknown. Symptoms include repetitive and impulsive behaviours, such as excessive hand washing, checking or counting. Men tend to develop the disorder at an earlier age and suffer more severe symptoms than women.

Research, presented at the prestigious US Endocrine Society conference in 2005, showed that oestrogen-deficient male mice displayed obsessive compulsive behaviours, such as excessive grooming and activity on the tread mill.

Importantly, oestrogen treatment restored the OCD behaviour to normal levels.

Men who suffer OCD have been shown to have lower levels of a specific gene called COMT. Low levels of COMT affects the break-down of chemical signals in the brain, causing compulsive behaviour. Studies conducted at Prince Henry’s found that COMT levels were halved in the oestrogen-deficient male mice.

Treatment of these animals with oestrogen restored COMT expression levels and behavioural levels to normal.

“Prince Henry’s research could shed light on the phenomena as to why male OCD patients develop the disorder earlier and suffer a worse fate than women. New treatments for men with OCD may not be too far away, with drugs that mimic specific effects of oestrogen on the brain without ‘feminising’ the body becoming available,” said Dr Boon.

The impact of oestrogen deficiency in male health is a constant source of new discovery for scientists at Prince Henry’s Institute. Previous research has shown that oestrogen deficiency in male mice was linked to lack of sex drive as well as the development of fatty liver.

Facts about OCD:

  • Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder involving two elements: obsessions and compulsions.
  • Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses or images that cause marked anxiety or distress. Compulsions are repetitive behaviours and rituals that a person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession .
  • Sufferers of OCD feel compelled to complete these rituals or behaviours out of fear, to reduce distress or prevent some dreaded event or situation.
  • OCD affects people from all different backgrounds, classes, cultures, sexes and intelligence levels. Approximately 2-3% of Australians experience OCD.
  • Some famous OCD sufferers include Howard Hughes, Jessica Alba, David Beckham, Michelle Pfeiffer, Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, Harrison Ford and Jack Nicholson’s character in the 1997 film ‘As Good as It Gets’.
  • The Obsessive Compulsive & Anxiety Disorders Foundation, Victoria, offers telephone counselling, information and support for people with OCD and their families.
    Phone (03) 9886 9377.

Contact Ian Muchamore, Science Communications

Tel : (03) 9594 4049 or 0415 551 705




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