I am doing a bit of research on the molecular defects underlyng OCD. I have a few questions which you may be able to help me with.
First off, I am wondering during the neural impulse pathway, what causes the release of serotonin into the synaptic cleft? Better stated, I know there are many chemicals/neurotransmitters being transmitted, is there a specific set of neurons which possess high concentrations of serotonin? If not, it would come to my understanding that most or all neurons contain a myriad of neurotransmitters, so my question is, what signal (ie: particular frequency of NA, K ion channel openings) causes the release of serotonin into the synaptic cleft, and is calcium somewhat involved at the cellular level?
Finally I am wondering how OCD symptoms are derived from the molecular level? For example symptoms of a haemophilliac are apparent and can be traced down to the genetics of an individual, can anyone replicate a similar model of OCD starting at the molecular/serotonin level to the overt symptomatic behaviour of an individual such as obsessions?
Thanks for your time!
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