The circuit-based approach to OCD presented here is speculative at this point but provides hypotheses to be tested in future research. For instance, the following strategies could be employed based on the neurocircuits involved: a) increase dorsal PFC recruitment to down-regulate fronto-limbic activity to improve fear/anxiety regulation, and modulate amygdala and vmPFC function directly to restore typical emotional responses; b) reduce atypically increased sensorimotor circuit activity to ameliorate sensory phenomena and excessive habit formation; c) increase IFG activity to improve inhibitory control of compulsive and habitual behaviors; d) regulate NAcc activity to achieve typical responsiveness to rewards; and e) restore typical dorsal PFC function to re-establish effective executive functioning.
