Compulsive no more (MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

(Source: MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology) MIT neuroscientists used light to control the activity of neurons involved in compulsive behavior. Image: McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Sputnik Animation By activating a brain circuit that controls compulsive behavior, MIT neuroscientists have shown that they can block a compulsive behavior in mice - a result that could help researchers develop new treatments for diseases such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette's syndrome. About 1 percent of U.S. adults suffer from OCD, and patients usually receive antianxiety drugs or antidepressants, behavioral therapy, or a combination of therapy and medication. For those...