Previous research during the time of this study showed that OCD and Tourette syndrome (TS) may share common genetic characteristics. Despite these genes being associated with both OCD and TS, it was unclear whether they ultimately played a role in causing both.

This study by Dr. Stewart and her team aimed to study the genetic links between OCD and TS further by searching for genes that play a role in the development of both disorders and examining inherited symptoms. It enabled several publications and subsequent funding to detail the potential genetic underpinnings for OCD and tic disorders. These included studies detailing how the disorders present with respect to symptom concurrence, and also to exploration of several candidate genes with these disorders.

Related Publications:

Grados, M. A., Mathews, C. A., & Tourette Syndrome Association International Consortium for Genetics (2008). Latent class analysis of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome using comorbidities: Clinical and genetic implications. Biological Psychiatry, 64(3), 219–225. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.01.019

O’Rourke, J. A., Scharf, J. M., Platko, J., Stewart, S. E., Illmann, C., Geller, D. A., King, R. A., Leckman, J. F., & Pauls, D. L. (2011). The familial association of tourette’s disorder and ADHD: the impact of OCD symptoms. American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric Genetics: The Official Publication of the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics, 156B(5), 553–560. doi:10.1002/ajmg.b.31195

Stewart, S. E., Beresin, C., Haddad, S., Egan Stack, D., Fama, J., & Jenike, M. (2008). Predictors of family accommodation in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Annals of Clinical Psychiatry: Official Journal of the American Academy of Clinical Psychiatrists, 20(2), 65–70. doi:10.1080/10401230802017043

*Sampaio, A. S., Fagerness, J., Crane, J., Leboyer, M., Delorme, R., Pauls, D. L., & Stewart, S. E. (2011). Association between polymorphisms in GRIK2 gene and obsessive-compulsive disorder: A family-based study. CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, 17(3), 141–147. doi:10.1111/j.1755-5949.2009.00130.x

*Stewart, S.E., Fagerness, J., Platko, J., Smoller, J.W., Scharf, J., Illmann, C., Jenike, E., Chabane, N., Leboyer, M., Delorme, R., Jenike, M.A., & Pauls, D.L. (2007). Association of the SLC1A1 glutamate transporter gene and obsessive-compulsive disorder. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B, 144(B), 1027-1033. doi:10.1002/ajmg.b.30533

Stewart, S. E., Platko, J., Fagerness, J., Birns, J., Jenike, E., Smoller, J. W., Perlis, R., Leboyer, M., Delorme, R., Chabane, N., Rauch, S. L., Jenike, M. A., & Pauls, D. L. (2007). A genetic family-based association study of OLIG2 in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Archives of General Psychiatry, 64(2), 209–214. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.64.2.209

Stewart, S. E., Rosario, M. C., Baer, L., Carter, A. S., Brown, T. A., Scharf, J. M., Illmann, C., Leckman, J. F., Sukhodolsky, D., Katsovich, L., Rasmussen, S., Goodman, W., Delorme, R., Leboyer, M., Chabane, N., Jenike, M. A., Geller, D. A., & Pauls, D. L. (2008). Four-factor structure of obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms in children, adolescents, and adults. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 47(7), 763–772. doi:10.1097/CHI.0b013e318172ef1e

Stewart, S.E., Stack, D.E., & Wilhelm, S. (2008). Severe obsessive-compulsive disorder with and without body dysmorphic disorder: Clinical correlates and implications. Annals of Clinical Psychiatry: Official Journal of the American Academy of Clinical Psychiatrists, 20(1), 33–38. doi:10.1080/10401230701844463