Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Lacey, C. J. Articles by Salzberg, M. R. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Lacey, C. J. Articles by Salzberg, M. R. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Syndromes Secondary to General Medical Disorders

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder With Mitochondrial Disease

Received August 27, 2007; accepted November 5, 2007. From the Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, St. Vincent’s Hospital; Melbourne, Australia; and the Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne University and St. Vincent’s Mental Health Service, Melbourne, Australia. Send correspondence and reprint requests to Cameron J. Lacey, MBChB, Psychiatric Consultation Service, 74 Oxford Tce, Christchurch, NZ. e-mail: cameron.lacey{at}gmail.com
© 2008 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial diseases are among the most common genetic disorders, and they have been associated with several psychiatric syndromes. METHOD: The authors present two cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) occurring in patients with MELAS (the A3243G mutation). RESULTS: Their clinical course and response to standard OCD treatment strategies was poor. DISCUSSION: Possible mechanisms for OCD symptoms are suggested by animal models and neuropathological findings. It remains unclear whether different types of mitochondrial disorders are associated with particular neuropsychiatric symptoms. Psychiatric symptoms may predate the diagnosis of mitochondrial disorder; thus, psychiatrists should consider mitochondrial disorders in the presence of common physical signs that are typically associated with these disorders.

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2008 Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us