Unusual Causes of OCD - Explored! (Area-1255 Exclusive)

***INTRODUCTION***

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a frequently debilitating Anxiety Disorder characterized by Obsessive-thoughts, mostly based on irrational or exaggerated Fears, which are then alleviated by performing a ritual or "Compulsion". Though many people understand the concept of this disorder, and more information is Publicly available regarding the neural-basis for it - there remains other, less known causes which have not been covered deeply enough.

This article aims to outline other, more 'unusual' causes, or causes that are not typical.

We have scoured the Internet to collect information and case studies regarding Pathogen, Chemical and Toxin induced OCD-Illness.

MYCOTOXIN INDUCED OCD Symptoms
(Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder as a Result of Mold Exposure)

Although Mold is a well-known and somewhat common cause of Mental Illness, there hasn't really been an article linking the reports together to describe its association with OCD and the types of OCD it can cause.

Here are several reports of mycotoxin (mold toxin) induced OCD-symptoms.

• The first Case report is a 54-year old homeless white man who presented with Moderate Paranoia, obsessive thoughts, intense and labile affect and self-medication using Benzodiazepines [1]. The man acknowledged he had been infected with Black Mold and mycotoxins, and thus had some Awareness of the problem. However the Psychosis and OCD-symptoms being marked by frequent, Obsessive thoughts and periods of low Insight indicate long-term mental effects of Black Mold exposure.
• A Large Publication on "Neuropathic Itch" acknowledged the occurrence of Mold-induced Obsessive itching behavior and psychological problems [2]. Although it did not delve into it too much - it did indicate that other 'syndromes' may be diagnosed along with it and the collection of such syndromes may lead at a Mold-related illness/dysfunction.
• A Report called "Detection of Mycotoxins in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" examined the association of Mycotoxin/Mold Exposure in the pathophysiology of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). It also referenced some reports that examined the connection between Mold Exposure and Anxiety symptoms; including OCD-symptoms. 

Possible Mechanisms and Their Connection With 'Type' of OCD.

1. The most probable explanation is neuroinflammation. Any form of Mold Exposure will lead to an increase in inflammatory chemicals within the Body [3]. These can cause alterations in CNS-excitability and lead to destruction of neurons - leading to a dysfunction in communication across Brain Regions. Since Basal Ganglia dysfunction is implicated in OCD [4] and Mold Exposure can affect this region [5] this is the most formidable explanation for Mold-induced OCD. Another study also quite directly addresses this cause and the connection to  OCD.
2. The Mold Species most responsible for this Basal Ganglia dysfunction is: Stachybotrys chartarum [6]. Well-known Black Mold to be found in the majority of Damp/Moldy buildings.
3. In some cases, this results in absolute Encephalopathy (Clinical Brain Dysfunction/Disease) [7]. This would further worsen communicational dysfunction and can lead to more dramatic OCD-symptoms along with severe Brain Fog or Cognitive Dysfunction.
4. Fusaric Acid (FA) inhibits the enzyme Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase [8] which converts Dopamine into Norepinephrine; this may (theoretically) lead to the 'Low Stimulation' Subtype of OCD; characterized by Obsessive/Intrusive thoughts, Paranoia/Delusions and low Energy along with Anhedonia (lack of pleasure) described in the following article. 
5. In other words, if exposed to Fusaric Acid (FA) - one may develop a Norepinephrine Deficiency.
6. This leads to low levels of Awareness, Cognition, and CNS Stimulation. As well as other 'distortions' in Perception, and thought disorders as well as Obsessive & Compulsive Symptoms.

PESTICIDE EXPOSURE

1. Basal Ganglia dysfunction can be found in Agricultural Workers with significant Pesticide exposure [9].
2. Many of them have developed Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder [10].
3. In these cases other mechanisms of OCD-induction by Pesticides also have been elucidated, including, Cholinergic dysfunction [11] - that is, an absolute excess or deficiency of Acetylcholine (ACh).
4. Since Nicotine has been used to TREAT OCD in a subset of Patients, it may be plausible that downregulation of dysfunction of Nicotinic-acetylcholine-receptors due to Pesticides may be the culprit [12].

*Note as with Below*: Alpha-7-nicotinic receptors *worsen* OCD but Alpha-4-beta-2-receptors "improve" OCD [12].

ENDOCANNIBINOID DEFICIENCY

Mouse and animal studies showed that activating the Endocannibinoid-system can reduce Compulsive behaviors and 'bad habits' [13] [14] [15]. Reducing the breakdown of naturally produced Endocannibinoids also proved the same Benefit [16].

In humans, a Polymorphism in the CB1-Receptor Gene or Cannibinoid-Receptor 1 was directly to Tourette's Syndome (TS) and OCD-Behaviors [17].

A Large Review also examined the utility of modulating the Endocannibinoid-System in order to treat multiple forms of Anxiety Disorders; including Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder.

Endocannibinoids play an essential role in 'habit formation' including Hoarding - thus, they may be the New Age target for these specific OCD-type disorders.

Hypothetically, something like CBD-Oil might help OCD, and has been shown to help other Anxiety Disorders; to which it has PLENTY of research as well [18].

TOO MANY NICOTINIC-A7-RECEPTORS OR TOO MUCH ACETYLCHOLINE

OCD-Behavior and Stereotypy induced (caused) by Cocaine apparently are mediated by alpha-7-nicotinic-acetylcholine Receptors [19], which is to say, Cocaine somehow stimulates release of Acetylcholine or increases its affinity at that particular receptor, with more *probability* of the former; considering what we know about Monoamines and how they influence Acetylcholine-release, Dopamine in particular [20].

LOW OR HIGH PHOSPHATE/PHOSPHORUS

Serum phosphate and anxiety in major depression; a Review went over the role of Phosphates in Anxiety & Depression. The Review concluded LOW levels of Phosphate can cause Anxiety and contribute to Depression symptoms in these patients.

However, another Review looking at the BRAINS of Psychiatric Patients, concluded abnormally high levels can cause these symptoms as well.

***CENTRAL SOURCES***

Neurologic and neuropsychiatric syndrome features of mold and mycotoxin exposure. (NIH/PubMed) 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder: evidence for basal ganglia dysfunction. (NIH/PubMed)

The treatment of patients with mycotoxin-induced disease. (NIH/PubMed)

Endocannabinoids and basal ganglia functionality. (NIH/PubMed)

Neurotoxic Effects. (NIH/PubMed)

In/Tags: unusual causes of ocd, strange causes of ocd, atypical ocd and atypical cause, atypical etiology ocd, pathogen triggering ocd, other things that cause ocd 2018, ocd causes explored 2018