Researchers Identify Hundreds of Genes Linked to OCD in Largest Study to Date

Researchers Identify Hundreds of Genes Linked to OCD in Largest Study to Date

Monday, August 25, 2025 / No Comments

 

A groundbreaking international study has uncovered hundreds of genetic markers tied to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), offering fresh insight into one of the world’s most disabling mental health conditions.

Analyzing the DNA of more than 53,000 people with OCD and over 2 million without the disorder, researchers identified 30 regions of the genome containing 249 genes associated with the illness. Of those, 25 emerged as strong contributors to OCD risk.

“No single gene causes OCD, but taken together, these findings help us understand why the condition develops and why it looks different from person to person,” said Dr. Carol Mathews, a psychiatrist at the University of Florida and lead author of the study.

The study found that many of the implicated genes are highly active in brain regions responsible for decision-making, fear, motivation, and habit formation all areas that malfunction in OCD. Researchers also found overlap between OCD-related genes and those linked to depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and Tourette syndrome.

Globally, OCD affects about one in 50 people and is among the top 10 causes of disability. The condition often emerges in childhood or adolescence and can severely disrupt daily life. People with OCD face a significantly higher risk of premature death from both natural and nonnatural causes, including suicide.

While genetic research won’t lead to immediate cures, scientists believe the findings could pave the way for more targeted therapies. “Understanding the biology behind OCD is the first step toward better, more personalized treatments,” Mathews said.

The results also pointed to unexpected connections between OCD and the immune system, suggesting links to asthma, migraines, and even a reduced risk of inflammatory bowel disease.

Experts say larger studies and further research are needed, but the genetic map offers a crucial piece in the puzzle of how OCD develops and how it might one day be treated more effectively.

Women with Alzheimer’s Show Markedly Lower Omega Fatty Acid Levels, Study Finds

Women with Alzheimer’s Show Markedly Lower Omega Fatty Acid Levels, Study Finds

Thursday, August 21, 2025 / No Comments

 

New research suggests that women with Alzheimer’s disease have significantly lower levels of omega fatty acids in their blood compared with healthy women, a pattern not observed in men.

The study, conducted by King’s College London and published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, analyzed blood samples from more than 800 participants, including 306 Alzheimer’s patients. Researchers found that women with the disease had up to 20% lower levels of unsaturated fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, and higher levels of saturated fats.

“This difference between men and women was the most surprising outcome,” said Dr Cristina Legido-Quigley, senior author of the study. “It hints at a potential causal link, but clinical trials are needed to confirm whether supplementing these fatty acids could help prevent or delay the disease in women.”

Alzheimer’s affects women at twice the rate of men, a disparity attributed to factors such as lifespan, hormones, immune response, and social conditions. The study’s findings may shed light on why the disease manifests differently in women.

Omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish, chia seeds, flaxseed, and walnuts are known to support brain and heart health. While previous trials of omega-3 supplements in older adults have shown limited benefit for cognitive decline, researchers now hope targeted trials for women could offer new insights.

Dr Julia Dudley of Alzheimer’s Research UK, a co-funder of the study, emphasized the importance of understanding sex-specific disease mechanisms. “This research could inform tailored treatments and lifestyle advice, potentially improving prevention strategies for women,” she said.

In the meantime, experts recommend that women ensure adequate intake of omega fatty acids as part of a balanced diet.

Scientists uncover genetic link to ME/chronic fatigue syndrome

Scientists uncover genetic link to ME/chronic fatigue syndrome

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 / No Comments

 

Scientists have uncovered the first solid evidence that genetics play a role in the development of myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) , a condition that has long been neglected, misunderstood, and often dismissed by sections of the medical community.

The world’s largest investigation into the genetics of ME/CFS, led by the DecodeME project at the University of Edinburgh, analysed DNA samples from more than 27,000 patients and compared them with over 250,000 healthy participants. Researchers found eight regions of the genome with clear differences in those diagnosed with ME/CFS.

The findings suggest that common genetic variations many linked to the immune system and nervous system could tip the balance toward the illness, which is estimated to affect 67 million people globally.

Prof Chris Ponting, a lead investigator on the study, called the results “a wake-up call”, adding:“These findings provide the first robust evidence for genetic contributions to ME. They show that people’s biology really does matter when it comes to this condition.”

Patient groups hailed the research as a milestone moment. Sonya Chowdhury, chief executive of Action for ME, said the discovery brought “validity and credibility” to millions of people who have long been disbelieved or told their illness was not real.

ME/CFS symptoms include extreme fatigue, brain fog, chronic pain, sleep disturbances, and post-exertional malaise, where even light activity can cause prolonged relapses. There is currently no diagnostic test and no cure.

The DecodeME team hopes the findings will pave the way for future treatments and better recognition of a disease that costs the UK economy more than £3bn each year.

While the genetic evidence sheds light on possible mechanisms, questions remain. Researchers are still investigating why women are disproportionately affected, and how the condition relates  if at all to long Covid.

For patients, the discovery represents progress after decades of frustration. “This doesn’t give us a cure,” said Andy Devereux-Cooke, a patient researcher on the project, “but it gives us hope  and that is huge.”

Scientists Turn to Queen Bees in Search of Secrets to Longevity

Scientists Turn to Queen Bees in Search of Secrets to Longevity

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 / No Comments

 

For centuries, the mysterious life of queen bees has intrigued scientists. Unlike their worker counterparts, queen bees enjoy extended lives, thriving for years while workers live only a few months, despite having nearly identical genetic material. This unusual longevity has led researchers to investigate whether the key to longer human lives could be found in the biology of these remarkable insects.

This investigation is part of an ambitious new initiative funded by the UK’s Advanced Research + Invention Agency (Aria), a government body backed by £800 million. Aria is focused on supporting high-risk, high-reward projects that may reshape our understanding of aging and fertility efforts that might fail but could also revolutionize human health if successful.

Yannick Wurm, professor of evolutionary genomics and one of Aria’s program directors, sees a potential breakthrough in understanding how nature has solved problems like aging and fertility in animals. "If we can reverse engineer how these creatures achieve their longevity, it could transform human health," he said. The project could have far-reaching applications, from extending human lifespans to improving organ transport and combating diseases.

Aria’s directors are pursuing diverse, nature-inspired solutions, including replacing plastics with sustainable materials, harnessing atmospheric energy for flight, and exploring novel ways to manipulate the immune system to fight diseases. The project on queen bees builds on previous discoveries that have already extended the life of worker bees by transplanting gut microbes from queens.

In their natural environment, queen bees live long lives due to a combination of factors: they mate mid-flight, store sperm from multiple males, and are nurtured with royal jelly, a nutrient-rich secretion. The secrets contained within this royal jelly and the microbes it supports are of particular interest to scientists aiming to unlock the potential for extending human health and fertility.

This project is one of several bold ideas being explored by Aria, a research body modeled after the influential U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which is known for its groundbreaking technological innovations.

Despite the potential, Aria acknowledges the high level of uncertainty inherent in such speculative research. “We often describe our programmes as sending up a flare,” says Pippy James, Aria’s chief product officer. “It’s about showing that something is possible, even if it takes time to bear fruit.”

New Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Could Help Diagnose and Track Disease Progression

New Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Could Help Diagnose and Track Disease Progression

Wednesday, April 2, 2025 / No Comments

 

Scientists have developed a new blood test that can detect Alzheimer’s disease and assess how far it has progressed. Researchers say the test could help doctors determine the most suitable treatments for patients, particularly newer drugs like donanemab and lecanemab, which are most effective in the early stages of the disease.

The study, led by Prof. Oskar Hansson from Lund University and published in Nature Medicine, found that a specific tau protein fragment, called eMTBR-tau243, was present in the blood of people with Alzheimer’s. The researchers analyzed data from 902 participants and discovered that higher levels of this tau fragment were strongly linked to cognitive impairment and dementia in Alzheimer’s patients, but not in those with other neurological conditions.

Experts say the findings are promising, but the test is not yet ready for routine clinical use. Prof. Tara Spires-Jones from the University of Edinburgh noted that the method requires complex laboratory techniques and further validation.

In a related study, researchers from the US, Sweden, and Finland identified another potential marker for Alzheimer’s progression. They found that the ratio of two proteins in brain fluid YWHAG and NPTX2 was more closely linked to cognitive decline than the presence of amyloid beta plaques and tau tangles, the known hallmarks of Alzheimer’s.

Scientists believe these discoveries could lead to more precise diagnoses and better monitoring of the disease, ultimately improving treatment strategies for patients.

Prostate Cancer Surgery Breakthrough Offers Hope for Erectile Function

Prostate Cancer Surgery Breakthrough Offers Hope for Erectile Function

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 / No Comments

 

A groundbreaking prostate cancer surgery, known as the NeuroSafe procedure, has been shown to nearly double the chances of men retaining erectile function compared to traditional surgery, according to a major UK trial.

The procedure, tested in five UK hospitals, allows surgeons to remove the prostate while preserving the nerve-containing outer layer, which is crucial for erectile function. During surgery, doctors examine frozen prostate tissue to ensure the cancer has been fully removed. If no cancer is detected in the outer layer, the nerves can remain intact, significantly reducing the risk of erectile dysfunction.

The clinical trial involved 344 men with prostate cancer, none of whom had previous erectile dysfunction. A year post-surgery:

• 56% of men who underwent standard surgery experienced severe erectile dysfunction, compared to 38% in the NeuroSafe group.

• Only 23% of standard surgery patients retained normal or mild erectile function, whereas 39% of NeuroSafe patients did.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in England, with 50,000 new cases annually and nearly 1.5 million cases worldwide. The disease is often diagnosed late, making treatment more complex.

Dr. Matthew Hobbs, Director of Research at Prostate Cancer UK, called the study promising but emphasized the need for further research to confirm whether NeuroSafe is as effective as standard surgery in completely removing cancer. He also highlighted the challenge of scaling the technique across the NHS to benefit more patients.

The findings were presented at the 2025 European Association of Urology Congress in Madrid and published in The Lancet Oncology.

New Breakthrough Treatment Could Cure Thousands of High Blood Pressure Cases

New Breakthrough Treatment Could Cure Thousands of High Blood Pressure Cases

Monday, March 10, 2025 / No Comments

 

A groundbreaking treatment could offer a cure for half a million people in the UK suffering from dangerously high blood pressure, a condition often referred to as a “silent killer” due to its lack of symptoms and high risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Researchers in London and Cambridge have developed a minimally invasive procedure called targeted thermal therapy (TTT) to tackle primary aldosteronism, a condition responsible for 5% of all high blood pressure cases. This condition occurs when small nodules on the adrenal glands cause excessive salt retention in the body, leading to dangerously high blood pressure levels—sometimes reaching 200/130, far above the healthy 120/80 range.

A Quick and Effective Alternative

TTT, also known as endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation, works by using short bursts of heat to destroy the nodules causing excessive aldosterone production. Unlike traditional surgery to remove an entire adrenal gland, which requires general anesthesia and a hospital stay of several days, TTT takes just 20 minutes under sedation, allowing patients to go home the same day.

A recent 28-patient trial, published in The Lancet, showed promising results:

• 4 patients were able to stop taking medication entirely.
• 12 patients saw significant improvements in blood pressure or needed fewer drugs.
• The treatment successfully reduced excess aldosterone production in 75% of participants.

Transforming Lives

Professor Morris Brown, an expert in endocrine hypertension at Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NHS Trust, believes this technique could be life-changing for many. “For years, people with this type of high blood pressure had no real alternative to daily medication or major surgery,” he said. “Now, we can remove the problem at its source with a simple procedure and some patients see their blood pressure return to normal the very next day.”

The treatment is currently being tested in a larger 110-patient trial to further assess its effectiveness.

Dr. Pauline Swift, chair of Blood Pressure UK, called the findings “very encouraging” and highlighted the potential for thousands of people to benefit from the new therapy. “High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease, yet it often goes unnoticed until serious complications arise,” she said.

If larger trials confirm these promising results, TTT could become a game-changer for those struggling with hypertension due to primary aldosteronism, offering them a safe, effective, and long-term solution.

Study Finds Bacterial Vaginosis Can Be Transmitted by Male Partners

Study Finds Bacterial Vaginosis Can Be Transmitted by Male Partners

Wednesday, March 5, 2025 / No Comments

 

A new study has found that bacterial vaginosis (BV) can be passed to women by their male sexual partners, challenging long-standing beliefs that the condition is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the study suggests that treating male partners significantly reduces the risk of BV recurrence, potentially reshaping how the infection is managed.

Breakthrough Research

Australian researchers studied monogamous, heterosexual couples where the women had BV. One group received treatment for both the woman and her male partner, while another group treated only the woman.

The results were striking:

• BV returned in 35% of women whose partners were also treated.
• 63% of women in the other group—who were treated alone—saw their infection return.
• Women with treated partners also went longer without experiencing a recurrence.

The findings were so significant that the trial was halted early due to the clear benefits of treating both partners.

Challenge to Medical Guidelines

BV is one of the most common vaginal infections, affecting up to a third of reproductive-aged women. While it is known to be triggered by sexual activity, it has not traditionally been classified as an STI.

Experts say the study provides strong evidence that BV can be sexually transmitted and could lead to new treatment approaches.

Dr. Janet Wilson, a consultant in sexual health, called the research a “big step forward” and criticized the UK’s NHS website for providing “outdated and misleading” information on BV. She urged for medical guidelines to be updated in light of the findings.

With this discovery, BV treatment could soon change worldwide, offering better outcomes for millions of women.