TREATMENT OF OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER: ADVANCES IN PHARMACOTHERAPY AND NEUROBIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic psychiatric disorder characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions that significantly impair the functioning, quality of life, and well-being of affected individuals. The pathophysiology of OCD involves alterations in the cortico-striato-thalamic circuit, as well as dysfunctions in the serotonergic, glutamatergic, and dopaminergic systems. Among the main pharmacological options for treatment are clomipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant with potent inhibitory action on serotonin reuptake, and fluvoxamine, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. This article critically reviews the main scientific evidence related to the treatment of OCD, discussing neurobiological mechanisms, therapeutic efficacy, strategies for treatment-resistant cases, and future prospects.