🧠 OCD Neural Loop Simulator

The Cortico-Striato-Thalamo-Cortical Loop at Rest

A normal threat-detection signal loop that resolves quickly.

• <2 sec: Loop resolution time (placeholder metric)
• Low: OFC baseline firing (placeholder metric)
• Effective: Striatal gating (placeholder metric)
• Intact: Thalamic filter (placeholder metric)

Circuit anatomy overview

Short placeholder description of OFC, striatum, thalamus wiring.

Normal signal resolution

Short placeholder on how healthy loops dampen and reset.

Loop Hyperactivity Generates an Intrusive Obsession

The loop fails to resolve, producing a stuck obsessive signal.

• +44%: Loop activity spike (placeholder metric)
• Present: Gating failure (placeholder metric)
• Fast: Obsession onset (placeholder metric)
• Elevated: Cortical re-entry (placeholder metric)

Why the loop fails to reset

Short placeholder on striatal gating dysfunction in OCD.

Obsessive thought formation

Short placeholder on intrusive thought generation mechanism.

Sustained Firing Drives Rising Anxiety

Continued loop firing without resolution escalates anxiety sharply.

• Steady: Anxiety climb rate (placeholder metric)
• Sustained: Loop oscillation (placeholder metric)
• Reached: Distress threshold (placeholder metric)
• Strong: Urge to act (placeholder metric)

Anxiety feedback dynamics

Short placeholder on anxiety amplifying loop activity further.

Building compulsive urge

Short placeholder on urge formation preceding compulsion.

Compulsive Behavior Briefly Quiets the Circuit

Performing the compulsion produces a short-lived drop in loop activity.

• Immediate: Relief onset (placeholder metric)
• Sharp: Loop activity dip (placeholder metric)
• Brief: Relief duration (placeholder metric)
• Strong: Reinforcement effect (placeholder metric)

The relief-reinforcement trap

Short placeholder on negative reinforcement of compulsions.

Why the dip is temporary

Short placeholder on transient nature of loop quieting.

The Loop Re-Activates — and How Treatment Dampens It

The cycle repeats; SSRIs and ERP reduce loop hyperactivity over time.

• Minutes: Re-trigger window (placeholder metric)
• Dampens: SSRI effect (placeholder metric)
• Extinguishes: ERP effect (placeholder metric)
• Improved: Long-term outcome (placeholder metric)

The re-triggering curve

Short placeholder on how quickly the loop resumes firing.

Treatment dampens hyperactivity

Short placeholder on SSRI and exposure-response prevention effects.

Placeholder key insight: effective treatment lowers loop gain over weeks.