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Genetic Factors Underlie Stability of Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

Daniël S. van Grootheest ,
Daniëlle Cath ,
Jouke Jan Hottenga ,
Aartjan T. Beekman  and
Dorret I. Boomsma
Daniël S. van Grootheest*
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Ds.van.grootheest@psy.vu.nl
Daniëlle Cath
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical & Health psychology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
Jouke Jan Hottenga
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Aartjan T. Beekman
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Dorret I. Boomsma
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
*
*Address for correspondence: Daniël van Grootheest, VU University Amsterdam, Department of Biological Psychology, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Abstract

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The contribution of genetic and environmental factors to the stability of obsessive–compulsive (OC) symptoms has not yet been established in adult population based samples. We obtained the Young Adult Self Report Obsessive–Compulsive Subscale in mono- and dizygotic twins from the population-based Netherlands Twin Register in 1991, 1995 and 1997 and the Padua Inventory Revised Abbreviated in 2002. Stability of OC symptoms was analyzed as a function of genetic and environmental components. Heritability of OC behavior was around 40% at each time-point, independent of the instrument used. OC behavior was moderately stable with correlations ranging between r = .2 (for 11-year intervals), .4 (for 4–5 year intervals) and .6 (for 2 year intervals). Genetic correlations across time were higher, varying between .4 and .9, indicating that the stability of OC symptoms is mainly due to stable genetic factors. This study showed a moderate heritability and stability for OC behavior in adults. Genetic stability across time is high.

Keywords

obsessive–compulsive disorderOCDOC symptomstwin studytwinslongitudinal
Type
Articles
Information
Twin Research and Human Genetics , Volume 12 , Issue 5 , 01 October 2009 , pp. 411 - 419
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009