OCD =glutamatergic and serotonergic pathway dysregulation

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from

'Nutraceuticals in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD): a

review of mechanistic and clinical evidence'

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating mental illness which

has a significant impact on quality of life. First-line SSRI treatments

for OCD typically are of limited benefit to only 40-60% of patients, and

are associated with a range of adverse side effects. Current preclinical

research investigating nutraceuticals (natural products) for OCD, reveals

encouraging novel activity in modulating key pathways suggested to be

involved in the pathogenesis of OCD (glutamatergic and serotonergic

pathway dysregulation). Emerging clinical evidence also appears to

tentatively support certain nutrients and plant-based interventions with

known active constituents which modulate these pathways: N-acetlycysteine,

myo-inositol, glycine, and milk thistle (Silybum marianum). The serotonin

precursor tryptophan is unlikely to be of use in treating OCD while 5-HTP

may possibly be a more effective precursor strategy. However, there is

currently no clinical evidence to test the efficacy of either of these

substances. Currently the balance of clinical evidence does not support

the use of St. 's wort (Hypericum perforatum) in OCD. While clinical

research in this area is in its infancy, further research into

nutraceuticals is warranted in light of the promising preclinical data

regarding their mechanisms of action and their favourable side effect

profiles in comparison to current SSRI treatments. It is recommended that

future clinical trials of nutraceutical treatments for OCD utilize

randomized placebo-controlled study designs and considerably larger sample

sizes in order to properly test for efficacy.

I haven't read the full paper yet but have it here if anyone interested

and cannot access http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21352883