Neuroglia in Tourette syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder

In recent years, neuroglia have drawn the attention of researchers in the fields of neurology and psychiatry. Besides their well-known functions providing support to neurons, myelinating axons, and clearing up debris, a constantly growing of evidence indicates that glial cells are key contributors to the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. Alterations in microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes have been described in Tourette syndrome (TS) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The sudden onset of tics and OCD-like symptoms after infection in children (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections) suggests a connection with the immune system; in fact, neuroinflammation has been reported. Many imaging studies revealed abnormal myelination in the brain of TS and OCD patients, highlighting the implication of oligodendroglia in the connectivity alterations. Moreover, animal models have unveiled a cell-autonomous role of microglia and astrocytes in the etiology of pathologic grooming, which links these glial cells to the related disorder trichotillomania. This chapter reviews the state of the art and current gaps in the literature, proposing possible pathomechanisms and future research directions.