Hebrew University of Jerusalem and SUNY Stony Brook scientists discover linked chemicals in pre-clinical trials in mice, potentially helping treat obsessive compulsive disorder
DIANA BLETTER , The Times of Israel 22 March 2026
Excerpt:
The link between the acetylcholine and dopamine systems:
In their research, the team used a technology called optogenetics, which allowed the scientists to control specific brain cells using flashes of light. When they activated the cells that released acetylcholine, the nearby serotonin fibers responded almost instantly by releasing their own chemical signals. “This showed that acetylcholine does not just talk to serotonin,” Plotkin said. “It can actually take the wheel.”
When the researchers looked at brain states linked to OCD, they found the system running in overdrive.’ The acetylcholine cells were overactive, which forced a massive surge of serotonin. This suggests that the symptoms of OCD might not just be about having too much of one chemical, but rather a breakdown in the brain’s coordination system.
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