Pursuing a career in science writing can lead you down many interesting, and sometimes unexpected paths. From equine pregnancy, to sexing Gila lizards to ocular scanning, science writing provides the writer with the opportunity to learn all kinds of weird and wonderful things. This week, I want to write about a rather more unusual use for ultrasound in relation to mental health illnesses – specifically, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Many of us are familiar with the term OCD, which is increasingly becoming used as a term by which to describe someone who is a bit of a ‘neat freak’ and cleans to excess, or someone who is superstitious. However, having OCD is a very traumatic, complex and distressing illness to those affected, whether they are the sufferer or they are a close friend or family member. It is just not humans that suffer from OCD either – canine studies have revealed that ‘man’s best friend’ are also affected by this illness.

Comparatively, OCD in humans and dogs are very similar, which is not intended to ‘belittle’ anyone suffering from OCD, but rather is suggestive of a role for dogs as an animal model by which to study this illness. Briefly, dogs suffering from OCD will exhibit repetitive behaviours in a harmful manner, causing them distress. An example of such behaviours can include barking, chasing their tails and spinning round in circles. The onset of OCD is not completely understood as is the case with humans, although it is likely to contain both genetic and anxiety-inducing components, with treatment including the practising of specific techniques, exercise and in some cases medication (see Petwave for further information).

So where does OCD fit in with ultrasound? A recent study led by Jin Woo Chang MD, PhD, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery and Director of the Brain Research Institute at Yonsei University Medical Center in Seoul, South Korea has utilised ultrasound technology as a treatment for OCD. Here, transcranial focused ultrasound was used as an alternative treatment for this illness, and although at the time this research had been published in the ‘Focused Ultrasound Foundation’ newsletter no definitive results were available, the potential benefits of ultrasound technology are clear to see. Ultrasonography is the tool of choice for a variety of conditions and illnesses due to the ease of use by which an ultrasound scanner can be used, the minimal side effects reported following usage, and the lack of invasive surgery required before utilisation. You can read the full details surrounding about this study by visiting the FUS Foundation.

Although this study was carried out in humans, it is not unreasonable to assume that if ultrasound technology is considered to be a successful treatment for OCD sufferers, then similar treatments could also be applied to dogs. Just like ultrasound imaging when used for pregnancy, ultrasonography has the ability to become a universal tool for those suffering from OCD, in both the human and veterinary world.

If you would like to receive more information on attending one of our ultrasound training courses, please click here, or feel free to contact us.