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Cortical glutamate and GABA are related to compulsive behaviour in individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder and healthy controls

Author

Listed:
  • Marjan Biria

    (University of Cambridge
    University of Cambridge)

  • Paula Banca

    (University of Cambridge
    University of Cambridge)

  • Máiréad P. Healy

    (University of Cambridge
    University of Cambridge)

  • Engin Keser

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Stephen J. Sawiak

    (University of Cambridge
    University of Cambridge)

  • Christopher T. Rodgers

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Catarina Rua

    (University of Cambridge
    University of Cambridge)

  • Ana Maria Frota Lisbôa Pereira Souza

    (University of Cambridge
    University of Cambridge)

  • Aleya A. Marzuki

    (University of Cambridge
    University of Cambridge
    Sunway University)

  • Akeem Sule

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Karen D. Ersche

    (University of Cambridge
    University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
    University of Heidelberg)

  • Trevor W. Robbins

    (University of Cambridge
    University of Cambridge)

Abstract

There has been little analysis of neurochemical correlates of compulsive behaviour to illuminate its underlying neural mechanisms. We use 7-Tesla proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) to assess the balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission by measuring glutamate and GABA levels in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and supplementary motor area (SMA) of healthy volunteers and participants with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Within the SMA, trait and clinical measures of compulsive behaviour are related to glutamate levels, whereas a behavioural index of habitual control correlates with the glutamate:GABA ratio. Participants with OCD also show the latter relationship in the ACC while exhibiting elevated glutamate and lower GABA levels in that region. This study highlights SMA mechanisms of habitual control relevant to compulsive behaviour, common to the healthy sub-clinical and OCD populations. The results also demonstrate additional involvement of anterior cingulate in the balance between goal-directed and habitual responding in OCD.

Suggested Citation

  • Marjan Biria & Paula Banca & Máiréad P. Healy & Engin Keser & Stephen J. Sawiak & Christopher T. Rodgers & Catarina Rua & Ana Maria Frota Lisbôa Pereira Souza & Aleya A. Marzuki & Akeem Sule & Karen D, 2023. "Cortical glutamate and GABA are related to compulsive behaviour in individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder and healthy controls," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-38695-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38695-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Polytimi Frangou & Uzay E. Emir & Vasilis M. Karlaftis & Caroline Nettekoven & Emily L. Hinson & Stephanie Larcombe & Holly Bridge & Charlotte J. Stagg & Zoe Kourtzi, 2019. "Learning to optimize perceptual decisions through suppressive interactions in the human brain," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Eliana Vassena & James Deraeve & William H. Alexander, 2020. "Surprise, value and control in anterior cingulate cortex during speeded decision-making," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 4(4), pages 412-422, April.
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