Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a psychological illness which can have devastating effects on those afflicted. The disorder is characterized by fixation and rumination on a thought and by repetitive actions aimed at quelling the fixation. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is currently treated using behavioral treatments and psychotropic medications with varying degrees of success. The most popular class of drug on the market today for the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, which includes fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, citalopram, and others.

In addition to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, another drug, the N-methyl D-aspartate antagonist, has been used in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, though only anecdotal evidence is available to show its efficacy. The N-Methyl D-Aspartate receptor antagonist is most commonly used in the treatment of Alzheimer's dementia. The present study investigates whether a combination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine and N-methyl D-aspartate receptor antagonist memantine are more effective than either drug alone in reducing compulsive symptomatology in an animal model of Obsessive Compulsive behavior. The present study found the combination of fluoxetine and memantine to be more efficacious than either drug alone. At the 30 minute mark, mice receiving combination drug treatment exhibited approximately 10% of the compulsive behavior displayed by mice given only a saline treatment. The results of the present investigation suggest the potential for a more effective management of the symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.