Which neural circuit is primarily implicated in the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder?
- A Mesolimbic dopamine pathway
- B Cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuit ✓
- C Default mode network
- D Spinothalamic tract
Correct answer: B. Cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuit
Explanation
Hyperactivity in the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuits, particularly the orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate, and caudate nucleus, is the core neurobiological finding in OCD. The mesolimbic pathway mediates reward and addiction. The default mode network is involved in self-referential thought. The spinothalamic tract carries pain and temperature sensation.
Reference: Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 12th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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