MIT neuroscientists have managed to block compulsive behavior in mice by activating a brain circuit that controls compulsive behavior.

obsessive-compulsive disorder

antidepressants

electrical stimulation of a brain network can rebalance the emotional state of patients most severely afflicted with OCD

neuroscience

What is optogenetics?



this study could help experts identify brain activity patterns by indicating when the most effective time is to deliver treatment.





addiction





The normal mice waited until just before the water reached them to begin grooming – this type of behavior is called optimization.

mice without the gene never picked up this behavior optimization.





The mice completely stopped their compulsive behavior as soon as the researchers stimulated their light-sensitive cortical cells