Is there a cure in sight for OCD? Experts discover proteins that cause anxiety in humans

Scientists may have found a cure for the misery caused by obsessive compulsive disorder.

While investigating autoimmune diseases, experts accidentally found a protein that causes anxiety in humans.

Researchers at two London universities found that patients with OCD, a mental health condition that causes obsessive thinking and compulsive behaviors, like convincing yourself that something horrible will happen to people you love, have six times more protein than those without the disorder. .

While investigating autoimmune diseases, experts accidentally found a protein that causes anxiety in humans. A stock image is used above [File photo]

They tested immune cells from 23 OCD patients and 20 healthy volunteers. Scientists said the discovery of the protein, iMood, could “radically change the lives” of people with OCD, as it could be neutralized to provide a new treatment.

Immunology expert Professor Fulvio D’Acquisto of Roehampton University in London discovered iMood while examining mice for research on autoimmune diseases.

Working alongside scientists at Queen Mary, University of London, he noted that the mice became more anxious when there were higher levels of the protein.

A Queen Mary report said the behavior in mice that received an antibody that blocked iMood quickly returned to normal in a couple of days.

Professor D’Acquisto said that the discovery of antibodies to treat mental disorders could change patients’ lives due to a lower probability of side effects.

He said that clinical trials could be carried out within five years. Therapy and antidepressants are often used to treat OCD.

Scientists said the discovery of the protein, iMood, could “radically change the lives” of people with OCD, as it could be neutralized to provide a new treatment. [File photo]