title: Neurobiology of obsessive compulsive disorder--a serotonergic basis of Freudian repression.
abstract: Intrusive thoughts and images, often of a violent, horrific, or blasphemous nature are the hallmark of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD patients frequently also often have reductions in normal serotonergic (5-HT) function. This paper proposes a model of 5-HT function involving the routine filtering and suppression of violent or libidinal impulses. This model accounts for OCD as an instance of failed inhibition. The model also appears to resemble Freud's model of ego-id interactions at least in part, suggesting that it may be possible to psychobiologically substantiate a Freudian metaphor.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceuticals Division-Development Department, CIBA-GEIGY Corporation, Summit, NJ 07901.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Katz
mesh_terms: D005619:Freudian Theory; D006801:Humans; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D012094:Repression, Psychology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin