A genetic basis for obsessive grooming.
Excessive grooming behaviors, cleansing rituals, and self-mutilation are important features of a range of neuropsychiatric diseases including obsessive compulsive (OC)-spectrum disorders. In this issue of Neuron, Greer and Capecchi (2002) report that Hoxb8 mutant mice exhibit this behavioral phenotype. These Hoxb8 mutants will be valuable in exploring the genetics and pathophysiology of OC-spectrum disorders as well as strategies for their treatment.
Graybiel
Ann M
AM
Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and the McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
Saka
Esen
E
D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006120:Grooming / Q000502:physiology*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008818:Mice, Neurologic Mutants / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology
D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C095822:Hoxb8 protein, mouse